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-•»                                                                ^ 

:--, 

FROM   THE   LIBRARY   OF 

REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED    BY    HIM    TO 

THE    LIBRARY   OF 

m. 

PRINCETON   THEOLOGICAL   SEMINARY 

m 

V 

$ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/cocanapOdwig 


T  HI 

CON  Q^U  EST 

O  F 

CANAAN; 


A    POEM,     in     E  l  k  v  i  n     Books. 


By     TIMOTHY    DWIGHT. 


Fired,  at  firft  fight,  with  what  the  Mufe  imparts, 
In  fearlefs  youth  we  tempt  the  height  of  arts. 

Pope, 


HARTFORD: 

Printed    et     ELISHA      B  A  B  C  O  C  £ 
M,DCC,LXXXV, 


To  his  EXCELLENCY", 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON, Esquiri, 

Commander  in  chief  of  the  American  Armies^ 

The   Saviour  of  his   Country, 

The  Supporter  of  Freedom, 

And  the  Benefactor  of  Mankind^ 

This  Poem  is  infcribed, 
with  the  higheft  refpect  for  his  character,  the 
moil  ardent  wiihes  for  his  happinefs,  and  the 
mod  grateful  {tn{c  of  die  blelTings,  fecured, 
by  his  generous  efforts,  to  the  United  States 
of  North  America, 

by  his  mod  humble, 

and  moft  obedient  fervant* 

Timothy  Dwight. 

Greenfield,  in  Connecticut, 
March  i,  j-S;^ 


AS  this  poem  is  the  firll  of  the  kind,  which  has  been 
publiihed  in  this  country,  the  writer  begs  leave  to 
introduce  it  wich  feveral  observations,  which  that  circum- 
stance alone  may  perhaps  render  neceffary. 

He  has  taken  to  himfelfthe  liberty  of  altering  the  real 
order  of  the  two  laft  battles,  becaufe  he  imagined  the  illuf- 
trious  events, which  attended  the  beetle  of  Gibeou,  would 
make  it  appear  to  be  the  cataflrophe  of  the  poem,  where- 
ever  infer  ted. 

He  has  varied  the  fiery  of  the  embaflv  from  Gibeon-, 
for  reafons,  which  he  thinks  will  be  obvious  to  every  read- 
er, and  which  he  hopes  will  be  efteemed  his  fufacient 
julHrlcarion. 

To  give  entire  Unity  to  the  Action,  he  has  made  Jabia 
the  Canaanitim  hero  through  the  whole  poem  ;  and  ha? 
transferred  the  fcene  of  the  battle,  between  Hazor  and 
Ifrael,  from  the  fhores  of  the  lake  Mercm  to  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Ai. 

In  the  Manners,  he  has  ftudied  a  medium  berween  ab- 
folute  barbarifm  and  modern  refinement.  In  the  beft  cha- 
racters, he  has  endeavoured  to  reprefent  fuch  manners,  as 
are  removed  from  the  peculiarities  of  any  age,  or  country, 
and  might  belong  to  the  amiable  and  virtuous,  of  every 
age  :  fuch  as  are  elevated  without  defign,  refined  with- 
out ceremony,  elegant  without  fafhion,  and  agreeable, be- 
caufe they  are  ornamented  with  nncerity,  dignity,  and 
religion  ,  not  becaufe  they  are  poiilhed  by  art  and  edu^ 
cation.  Of  fuch  manners,  he  hopes  he  may  obferve, 
without  impropriety,  that  they  pofTefs  the  higheft  advan- 
tages   for    univerfal  application. 

He  has  made  ufe  of  Rhyme,  becaufe  he  believed  h 
would  be  more  generally  relifhed  than  blank  verfe,  even 
amongfl  thofe  who  are  efieemed  perfons  of  tafte. 

It  may  perhaps  be  thought  the  refult  of  inattention 
or  ignorance,  that  he  chofe  a  fubject,  in  which  his  coun- 
trymen had  no  national  intereft.  But  he  remarked  that 
the  Iliad  and  Eneid  were  as  agreeable  to  moderp  rations, 
as  to  the  Greeks  and  Romans.  The  rcafon  heluppofed  to 
be  obvious— the  fubjecls  of  thofe  poems  furnifh  the  faireil 
opportunities  of  exhibiting  the  agreeable,  the  novel,  the 
anoral,  the  pathetic,  and  the  fob  lime,     if  he  is  not  deceiv- 


rd,  the  (dh]et\  lie  lias  chofen  pofTcfles,  in  a  degree,  the 
fame  advantages. 

It  will  be  obferved  that  he  has  introduced  fome  ne\y 
wo-ds,  and  annexed  to  fome  old  ones, a  new  f;gnification. 
This  liberty,  allowed  to  others,  he  hones  will  not  be 
rcfufed  to  him  :  efpecially  as  from  this  fource  the  cofpi- 
oufnefs  and  refinement  of language  have  been  principal- 
ly derived. 

That  he  wifhes  to  p^afe  he  frankly  confefies.  If  he 
fails  in  the  defipn,  it  will  be  a  fatisfa&ion  tliat 
he  (hall  have  injured  no  perfon  but  himfelf.  As  the 
poem  is  uniformly  friendly  to  delicacy,  and  virtue,  he 
hopes  his  countrymen  will  fo  far  regard  him  with  candour, 
is  not  to  impute  it  to  him  as  a  fauit,  that  he  has  endea- 
voured to  pieafe  them, and  has  thrown  in  his  mite,  for  the 
advancement  of  the  refined  arts,  on  this  fide  of  the 
Atlantic* 


THE 


CON  QU  EST     o?     CANAAN, 


BOOK      r. 


Argument. 

Subjecl  frcpofed-  Invocation,    After    the  battle,   mentioned 
in  tbi  beginning  of  the  feventh    chapter  of 
Israelites,    in    correfpon'dence  with  the  f acred  hi  ft  or  J   *r$ 
reprefentedincircumftancesofex  fis.    With  this 

event  the  poem  opens,  in  the  evening.      Morning.      Scene 
of  war.      Sto?y    0/  Zimri,    and  Aram.      Zimri    re- 
to  the  affembly   cf lfrael,    and  brings  on  account   of  the 
d.aib  of  Aram,  and  of an  arm.  .,      mg  of 

Mazer,  to  ijfft  Ai.     Difirefs  of  the   Ifmelites.     C     •■- 
cclcr  and  o,  at  ion  of  Heumitl.      After  a  pathetic  addrejs, 
una  rehtarfal  of their  miferies,  he  Attempts  to  prove 
impojjihility  of  Jucceeding  in  their  prefent  drfgn,    becaufi 
cf  the ftrength,  Jkilli  and  numerous   allies  of  '.lies; 

Joretels  their  approaching  ruin,  ajferts  that  Gon  is  op- 
f>oftd  to  them,  that  they  were  led  out  of  Egypt  to ftlence  their 
murmurs,  and ,  the  end  being    act  ,    ought    U   '  - 

turn.    .  Panegyric  on  that   county;   obviates  obj 
u  return,  and  -infrnu 

Canaan,  they 'will  be     rutned,  dt  .    tee 

ve:ff~ary  ne^leci  of  arts  and  agri  f  di- 

viding the  land,  of  'fettling  a  \  it,  and  of 

evuoi 'ding  tyranny  ;   and  con:., 
to  return  to  Egypt.      Ap$lt  njt. 

ginning  to    explain  fee  xtions   of     :  .    is 

interrupted  ly  Hanniel ',i>:f.o  firf  obliquely, and  : 
ly  accufes  him  of  aiming  at  the  ufu 
rity  ;  and  ajferts  the  retufn  to  r 

bis  innocence  *uhl  using 

they  can  return,  paints  to  them:':-    ■ 
perience from  tbi  Egyptian    . 
ncrs,  and  from  prt 
their  ruin,     li    < , 
of  Hanniel* s 
them  0j 
fuccefs  ■■  >  •    •  i 

pr 

of  lira. 

Preparation  for  «w    r!      ( 

and  ad . 


Ths     CONQUEST     of*   CANAAN; 


BOOK      I, 


THE   Chief,  whofe  arm  to  TfraePs  chofen  band 
Gave  the  fair  empire  of  the  promis'd  land, 
Ordain'd  by  Heaven  to  hold  the  facred  fray, 
Demands  my  voice  ana  animates  the  lay. 

O  thou,  whofe  Love,  high  thrcn'd  above  all  height*      5 
Illumes  th'    immenfe,  and  iunn?  the  world  of  light  ; 
Whofe  diftant  beam  the  human  mind  inspires, 
With  wifdom  brightens,  and  with  virtue  fires  ; 
Unfold  how  pious  realms  to  glory  rife, 
And  impious  nations  find  avenging  feies  :  1© 

May  thy  own  deeds  exalt  the  humble  lir.e, 
And  not  a  (lain  ebfeure  the  theme  divine. 

Whea  now  from  weOern  hills  the  iun  was  driven, 
And  night  expanding  nil'd  the  bounds  of  heaven, 
O'er  Ifrael's  camp  ten  thoufand  fires,  appear'd  ir 

And  folemn  cries  from  diftant  guards  were  heard, 
Her  tribes,  efcap'd  from  Ai's  unhappy  plain, 
With  ihame  and  anguifii  mourn'd  their  heroes  flain, 

Lme  t.)  Wherever  Cb\ef,  Hero,  Leader,  8.- c.  with  a  capital,  re- 
fueft  the  Ifraelitifh  army,  Jolhua  is.  intended  ;  when  the,  re'pe^1  ?i« 
CmaanUifh  army,  jabin  is  intended.  The  Tsuth,  Wijt'.i  a  capital, 
itn&tes  Irad. 

B 


2  B     O     O    K      I. 

Pierc'd  with  deep  wounds  the  groaning  warriors  flood  ; 

Their  bofoms  heav'd,  their  tears  inceffant  flow'dj  20 

Their  ions  nnburied  01  the  hoftile  plain, 

Their  brothers  captiv'd,  and  their  parents  flain. 

The  tender  fa' her  clafp'd  his  lovely  child, 

Thar  thoughtlefs-fporting  innocently  fmil'd, 

To  ...  us  with  ibft  endearmentj  leapt,  25 

Gaz'd  on  his  teirs,  and  vvonder'd  why  he  wept. 

Her  woes  with  his  the  trembling  mother  join'd, 

Edg'd  ail  his  fears,  and  funk  his  drooping  mind, 

Array "d  in  tenfold  gloom  th'  approaching  light. 

And  gather 'd  foes  unnurnber'd  to  the  fight,  30 

Thus  trembling,  fad,  of  every  hope  forlorn, 

The  haplefs  thoufands  watch'd  the  coming  morn. 

In  J  :ar  their  fad  complaints  refcund, 

.,  unfeen,  he  trae'd  the  camp  around. 
Where'er  thrill  cri  »s,  or  groans  diftinguifh'd  flow'd      35 
Propp^l  on.  his  ]a;::e,  the  Hero  liftening  Rood  : 
For  ofr  the  fecrct  hour  of  night  he  ch< 
To  hulh  their  tumults,  and  to  learn  their  woes  ; 
Each  tear,  each  cry  his  feeling  mind  opprefs'd, 
And  fchemes  of  pity  fill'd  his  labouring  bread.  4© 

And  now  bright  P 

:ents  all  j  in  ih'  expanded  ray  ; 

:  fun's  broad  beam  the  fcenc  of  w  'd, 

A  w'  t,  with  Jiitant  groves  o' 

A  tali,  d?.rk  forefk  gtoom'd  the  northern  ro         ,  45 

Aw\  eaftern  hi'ls  o'er  bills  th'  he 

:-;\,  a  pi  lin  in  vj 
And  <  view  ; 

jdly  rofe  1 

5° 

Ar  t,  th*  ■nnomber'^  train 

Thro  •  ramp,  and  gather'd  on  1 

n  cj 
The  .. 


B     O    O     K      I.  3 

Him,  not  a  chief,  thatdar'd  the  battling  field,  55 

la  fwiftnefs  equall'd,  or  in  ftrength  excell'd  ; 
Save  Jofhuas  arm,  that  foil  uncor.quer'd  ilione  ; 
From  every  rival  every  prize  he  won. 

In  nights  laft  gloom  (10  Jofhna's  will  ord~ir."  J) 
To  find  what  hopes  the  cautious  foe  remain'd,  6° 

Or  what  new  ftrength,  allied,  increas'd  their  force, 
To  Ai's  high  walls  the  hero  bent  his  co. 
Aram,  his  friend,  unknowing  vile  difmay, 
With  willing  footfieps  fhar'd  the  dangerous  way. 
In  virtue  join'd,  one  foul  to  both  was  given  ;  65 

Each  fteer'd  his  path,  and  led  his  friend  to  heaven. 

O'er  earth's  dim  verge  as  dawn'd  the  cheerful  day, 
Near  {lumbering  Ai  they  cours'd  their  fearlefs  way  ; 
Unfeen,  in  twining  fnrubs,  a  heathen  late, 
Mark'd  their  flill  path,  and  boded  Aram's  fate  ;  70 

Swift  hurl'd,  his  javelin  fought  the  hero's  fide, 
Pierc'd  to  the  heart,  he  groan'd,  and  gafp'd,  and  died. 
The  heathen  flew,  fierce  Zimri  c'ave  his  breait, 
But  Aram's  eyes  were  clos'd  in  endlefs  rett. 

Thus, 'while  fond  Virtue  wifh'd  in  vain  to  fave,  75 

Hale,  bright  and  generous,  founff  a  haplefs  grave. 
With  genius'    living  flame  his  beforn  glow'd, 
And  fcience  charm'd  him  to  her  fweet  abode  : 
In  worth's  fair  path  his  feet  adventur'd  far; 
The  pride  of  peace,  the  riling  grace  of  war;  80 

In  duty  firm,  in  danger  calm  as  even, 
.  To  friends  unchanging,  and  fincSre  to  heaven. 

75.)     Whiles   amid,  and  emen?,  a-e  uftd  throughout  this  poem, 
eufjj.  grat,  inftead  of  "j.>h:lf,  cm\c 

76.  Hale  bright)  The  companions  of  .this  kind  were  all  Writ- 
ten in  the  early  ftages  ofthe  late  war,  ahc  to  the  poe  n  to 
indulge  the  A9taor's>ownerri6tionsbf  regard  t<  t  imed 
In  them.  As  it  was  i:-nprjfF'  ..-;  t<?  pa;  r  bute  of  refpect  to 
?.il  the  deferring  characters,  who  have  fallen  in  defence  of  Am 
liberty,  the  Author  determined  to  defift,  1 ;:  r  the  firft  atten  pt.  The 
lines  on  Major  Andre  are  an  exception  to  die  above  remark,  as  are 
e  on  General  Mercer.. 


4  B    O    O    K      I. 

lie."  fliort  his  courfe,  the  prize  how  early  won  ! 

While  wee pir;    friendfhip  mourns  her  favourite  gone. 

With  foul  too  noble  for  fo  bafe  a  caure,  85 

Thus  Andre  bow'd  to  war's  barbarian  laws. 

In  morn's  fair  light  the  opening  bloflbm  warm'd, 

Its  beauty  fmil'd,  its  growing  fragrance  charm'd  ; 

Pierce  roar'd  th'  untimely  blaft  around  its  head  ; 

The  beauty  vanifli'd,  and  the  fragrance  fled;  « 

Soon  funk  his  graces  in  the  wintry  tomb, 

And  fid  Columbia  wept  his  haplefs  doom. 

As  now  o'er  eaftern  hills  the  morning  burn'd, 
Alone  brave  Zimri  to  the  camp  return'd  ; 
Pale  in  his  front  defpair  and  anguim.  fate,  05 

And  each  kind  bofom  fear'd  for  Aram's  fate, 
When  thus,  the  Leader— -Say,  exalted  chief, 
What  dire  misfortune  clouds  thy  mind  with  grief? 

0  bed  of  men,  he  cried,  my  tears  deplore 

The  hero's  fate,  brave  Aram  is  no  more.  ic» 

Weep,  weep,  my  friends  :  his  worthy  life  demands 

This  hit,   poor  tribute  from  your  grateful  hands. 

Nor  weep  for  him  alone  :  dread  fcenes  of  grief 

Surround  our  fteps,  and  Heaven  denies  relief. 

Th'  infalting  wretch,  that  feal'd  the  hero's  fate,  105 

In  death  proclaim'd  what  tenors  round  you  wait. 

1  die.  he  cried,  but  know,  thou  culprit,  know, 
To  the  dark  tomb  thy  harbinger  1  go. 

O'er  ifrael's  race  afcend,  from  realms  afar, 
The  clouds  of  ruin,  and  the  ftorms  of  war.  1    • 

The  hofts, that  bow  to  Jabin's  great  controul 
From  Hazor'f    rocky  hilis.in  thunder  roll  ; 
Hofts,  that  ne'er  knew  the  tender  tear  to  thed, 
Bom  in  the  field,  beneath  the  iland.ud  bred  ; 
That  raptur'd  flv,  where  fhrill-ng  trumpets  call,  1  1  r 

Plunpc  on  t},e    poinded  fpear   and  cli  nb  the  kindled  wall- 
•  danntlefa  land:  (:o  Ai  the  mMf^r  enme) 
fink  in  night  thy  nation'i  hated  name; 


boot:     i.  Y 

Even  now  brave  Oran,  Jabin's  martial  boa$, 

Speeds  his  glad  courfe  and  moves  a  countlefs  hoft  :       120 

Raptur'd  I  fee  thy  camp  in  flames   arife, 

And  Ifrael's  afhes  cloud  the  angry  fkies. 

He  fpoke.     Aftonifh'd  at  th'  impending  doom, 

Round  the  pale  thoufands  breath'd  a  folemn  gloom  ; 

Rent  were  their  martial  veftments,  torne  their  hair,     125 

And  every  eye  fpoke  pangs  of  keen  defpair. 

Mid  the  fad  throng,  in  mournful   rubes  array 'd 
Vile  dull  befprinkled  o'er  his  dovvn-caft  head, 
Pale  Hanniel  rofe,    and  with  difTemblei  woe, 
Clouded  his  front,  and  urg'd  the  tear  to  flow.  13s 

Of  princely  blood,  his  haughty  fire,  of  ycre 
Proud  Pharaoh's  favourite  on  th   Egyptian  ihore, 
O'er  Ifrael's  race  was  fcepter'd  to  pref.de, 
To  rule  their  tributes  and  their  toils  to  guide. 

In  the  fon's  mind  again  the  parent  liv'd,  135 

His  pride  rekindled,  and  his  art  reviv'd. 
Where'er  pride  call'd,  his  changing  foul  would  turn  ; 
Grieve  with  the  fad,  and  with  the  envious  burn  ; 
Vaunt  with  the  brave,  be  ferious  with  the  wife, 
And  cheat  the  pious  with  uplifted  eyes  ;  14$ 

Jn  Youth's  fond  fports  with  feeming  zeal  engage, 
Or  lilt,  delighted,  to  the  tales  of  Age. 

When  Jofhua's  hand  the:  facred  rule  adorn'd, 
With  pangs  he  fa.v,  but  Mil!  in  fecret  mourn'd  : 
His  clofe  revenge  the  Hero's  fate  decreed,  14- 

And  fmooth,  fare  (lander  taught  hir.  name  to  bleed. 
Witb  friendly  grafp  he  fcju  ;ez'd  each  warrior's  hand  ; 
Wjthjefta  familiar  pleas'c  the  vulgar  band  ; 
Jn  fly,  fnrewd  hints  the  Leader's  faults  difclos'd  ; 
Prais'd  his  whole  (way,  but  Gngle  acls  oppos'd  ;  15* 

Adrair'd  how  law  fo  ftem  a  face  could  wear  ; 
Stil'd  combat  rafhnefs,  and  nam'd  caution  fear : 
With  angels  then  his  fame  and  virtue  join'd, 
To  tempt  coarfe  fcaadal  from  each  envious  mind  : 


£  C     O     O     K       I. 

Bleft  his  own  peaceful  lot,  and  fmil'd,  that  Heaven,     i^j 

To  minds,  that  priz'd  then, -empire's  toils  had  given. 

Yet  bafe-born  fear  his  vigorous  foul  difdain'd  ; 

Each  danger'fhar'd  and  every  toil  fiitain'd  ; 

Joy'd,  in  terrific  £elds,  the  foe  ro  dare, 

And  clairn'd  the  honours-cf  the  fiercefl  \  160 

-  o\v  the  bleft  period,  long  in  vain  deflr'd, 
His  fond  hope  -flatter'd,  and  his  bofora  f  r'd  ; 
To  end  his  rival's  fway,  his  own  fecure, 
Refolv'd,  his  fancy  deem'd  the  tiiurnph  fure. 

In  feeming  anguiih  oft  his  hands  he  wrung,  165 

And  words  imperfect  murmur'd  on  his  tongue  ; 
At  length,  with  feeble  voice,  he  thus  began, 
While  round  the  tribes  a  mute  attention  ran. 

Friends!   brethren!   fires!  or  by  what  tenderer   narrc 
Shall  Iaddrefs  the  he^rs  of  Jacob's  fame  ?  1  70 

Pear  to  my  foul,  as  thofe  red  drops,  that  flow, 
Thro'  my  warm  veins,  and  bid  my  bofom  f 
If  chill'd  by  grief's  cold  hand,  the  vital  flood 
Still  pours  its  .warmth,  nor  yet  forfakes  the  road  ! 
Long  has  this  he*rt  with  deep  CQiripaffipti  view'd       175 
Your    generous  tribes,  by  coantlefs  ills  fnbdu'd  ; 
lils,  thefe  pain'd  eyes  foreboding,  long  beheld, 
And  th?s  fad  warning  voice  in  vain  reveard. 
Thofe  counfels,.  now  by  fure  expcrier.ee  rvcv'd, 
Tnat  voice,  alone  by  Ifrael's  welfare  mov'd,  I  So 

Once  more  attend      Ye  guardian  po  ►ers,  be  rear, 
Enlarge  their  minds  and  give  them  he         .        ar1  ! 
Let  bafe-l-om  prejudice  no  more  contror.l 
The  native  candour  of  each  generous  foui  ; 
AiTert yourfelyes  ;  your  future  conduct  (ran  ;  1,^5 

Reafon's  the  no 

Lonu;  have  0  ;  rovM, 

And  the  fid  waile  with  all  it  prtrv'd  ; 

walto,  by  i  \t  v ■.. »*«  m  e  urs'd 

With  ceaLlcis  hung;;-,  and  ^   1  iril,  190 


B    O    O    K      I.  i 

The  tyger's  rage,  the  lion's  fearfal  path, 
Beihew'd  with  bones,  and  red  with  recent death, 
The  Tun's  keen  fury,  midnight's  gloomy  dread, 
And  all  the  horrors  of  fh'impeifon'd  made. 

How  oft  thefe  eyes  the  fiifrtefs  child  have  view'd,    195 
By  hunger  famim'd  and  by  pain  iubdu'd, 
While  the  fond  parent  o'er  his  beauties  hang, 
And  look'd  diltrefs,  that  froze  his  firttte/iifi*  tongue, 
Diilreis,  to  hear  the  young,  the  piercing  cry, 
That  claim'd  relief,  when  no  relief  was  nigh  ;  200 

TcTfee  the  babe,  its  face  with  death  o'erfpread, 
Stretch  forth  its  little  hands,  and  fue  for  bresd  : 
While  friends,  ail  impotent,  roll'd  down  the  tear, 
Socks  learn'd  to  feel,  and  fbrefts  bent  to  hear. 

When  pale  Difeafe  arTum'ci  her'  fr.rai  reign,  205 

Chas'J  the  warm  glow,  an  1  racfeM  tne  joints  with  pain, 
Oft  have  thefe  failing  eyes  the  chief  beheld, 
In  counfel  fam'd,  and  glorious  in  the  field, 
G'ondemn'd  the  pangs  of  iicknefs  to  endure, 
Far  from  relief,  and  hopelefs  of  a  cure  ;  21© 

No  downy  couch  to  relt  his  drooping  head, 
The  ikies  his  covering,  and  the  earth  bis  bed  ; 
No  foftcning  pl<int  his  fiifTen'd  wounds  to  fceal, 
Soothe  his  rack'd  nerves,  and  learn  thera  not  to  feel; 
Nor  f.v/eet,  embowering  made  to  drive  away  215 

Night's  baleful  damps,  and  fummer's  fcorching  ray. 
But  who  the  various  ills  can  number  o'er, 
Or  tell  the  fands  that  form  the  fea-beit  more  ? 
Even  now  by  flow  degrees  our  rhou<ands  fall, 
Till  one  wide,    common  grave  involve  us  all.  220 

For  fee  what  woes  lurrcunci  our  dating  conrfe, 
That  t  it  termors    of  unmeafur'J  force  ; 

Safe  in  high  walls,  infulting  fyei  drndef 
Our  .npotence,  and  bm-er'd  pride  ; 

On  boanulefs  wealth,  with  carelefs  eafe,  rely,  22? 

And  hofts  UiinuinberM  never  taught  to  fly  ; 


J  B     O     O    K      I. 

Proad  of  the  dreadful  fleed,  the  wafting  car, 
And  all  the  ibcngtn,  and  all  the  art,  of  war. 

Thefe  foes  to  aid,  what  countlefs  throngs  will  join  ! 
What  peopled  realms  againlt  our  arms  combine  !  23a 

Prom  Gibeon's  walls,  and  where  tremendous  powers 
Surround  imperial  Hazor's  hundred  Lowers, 
Or  where  proud  mores  the  weftern  main  behold. 
Or  orient  Gihon's  haughty  tides  are  roll'd, 
1  fee  to  fearful  combat  millions  rife,  255 

Cniefs  mount  the  car,  and  point  the  fated  prize; 
See  in  the  van-guard  haughty  Conq.-eit  ride 
Lo,  murder'u  thouiands  pour  the  ruddy  tide  ! 
O'er  Ifrael'i  camp  the  clouds  of  vengeance  lev  <r, 
Fear  wings  our  flight,  and  flames  our  race  devoi  r.         2_j« 

At  that  dread  ieafon,  chain'd  inbonds  forL:    , 
6fraen  the  proverb,  and  of  Heaven  the  fcorn, 
IiuVd  by  vile  Caves,  our  tribes  the  rack  mail  feci, 
Or  gafp,  far  happier,  on  the  griding  Heel  : 
Slow  round  the  form  the  fires  of  Molock.  burn  ;  24; 

Chiefs  mount  the  pile,  and  babes  to  afhes  turn  : 
Impal'd  with  anguifn,  bleeding  fires  behold, 
Their  wis'es  polluted  and  their  virgins  fold  ; 
Their  Ions,  fweet  folace  of  declining  age, 
In  fport  transhVd,  or  cleft  in  caufelefs  rage  ;  25* 

While  threat^  while  infults  rend  with  fore  difmay, 
And  hungry  hounds  Hand  gaping  for  their  prey. 
B  tt  ccaie  my  faltering  tongue  ;  ere  thefe  oe:  il, 
Gh  Heaven,  let  Hanniel's  biood  bedew  von  impious  wall. 
will  no  happier  hand  direct  the  road,  25^ 

A  "><!  tell,  where  Quiet  builds  her  fweet  abode  r 

•  ic  fage.on  who'c  angelic  tongue 
Bii^ht  wiflnm  dwelt,  and  foft  perfaaiton    bung  ? 
Does  it  with  paniot  virtue  gi< 

(ntereftin  ii-s  ('ouittrv's  V  :>• 

■     name,  behold 

terror  ne'er  controul'd  ; 


B     O    O    K      I.  9 

Whofe  voice,  though  envious  thoufands  dare  oppofe, 
Shall  pour  the  balm,  and  heal  his  country's  woes. 

How  long,  brave  heroes,  fhall  your  feet  purfue         265 
Such  keen  diftrefs,  as  nations  never  knew  -? 
How  long  your  hoft  the  chains  of  flavery  own, 
And  millions  die,  tofweH  the  pride  of  one  ? 
'Gainft  Heaven's  decree  let  folly  ceafe  to  rife, 
And  tempt  no  more  the  vengeance  of  the  Ciies.  270 

To  other  lords  that  firm  decree  ordains 
Th'  expected  mountains,  and  the  promis'd  plains. 
Our  every  path  unnumber'd  woes  furround  ; 
Our  blood  in  ftreams  bedews  polluted  ground  ; 
No  glad  fuccefs  arrays  our  Heps  in  light,  275 

And  fmiling  Victory  triumphs  in  our  flight. 

Search  ancient  years  ;   thro'  time's  long  courfe  return, 
When  earth  firft  wanton'd  in  the  beams  cf  morn  ; 
Succefs  unchang'd  attends,  when  God  approves, 
And  Peace  propitious  fmooths  the  path  he  loves,  280 

Eafe  flight,  and  dire  amaze,  and  creeping  fhame, 
Man  loft  in  guilt,  and  alien'd  ikies,  proclaim. 

Ifftillyour  fetter'd  minds,  by  folly  fway'd, 
Doubts  wavering  tofs,  and  leaden  fears  invade, 
To  yon  bright  dome  your  eyes  convicted  turn  ;  285 

Say  why  forgets  the  guiding  flame  to  burn  ? 
Why  round  Its  point  forgets  the  cloud  to  roll, 
Sublime  pavilion  of  th'  all-moving  foul  ? 
The  dreaded  truth  muft  Hanniel  fingly  own  ? 
Fled  is  the  fmile  of  Heaven,  the  Guardian  gone.  29c 

But  Virtue  afks,  Why,  led  bv  God's  command, 
Rov'd  this  brave  hoft  thro'  many  a  weary  land  ? 
Each  hour,  with  pains  replete,  each  field  replies, 
And  with  dread  language,  loud  as  clarions,  cries, 
In  Egypt's  realms,  where  every  pleafure  fmil'd,  29? 

And,  far  from  famine,  labourers  lightly  toil'd, 
Wanton  with  feafts,  our  thanklefs  hearts  repin'd, 
Aad  tainted  prayers  provok'd  th'  all-ruling  Mind ; 

C 


ic  B     O     O    K      I. 

Tir'd  by  long  fcenes  of  woe,  th'  ungrateful  hort,  199 

Learn'd  humbler  thoughts,  and  priz'd  the  good  they  loit: 

Reclaim'd,  each  fpotlefs  mind  adores  his  ways. 

And  every  blefiing  wakes  the  voice  of  praife. 

The  end  thus  gain'd,  his  terrors  lifted  high 

Bid  his  warn'd  fons  the  unblels'd  purpofe  fly. 

See,  fwiftly  borne,  the  ftorm  of  vengeance  rife  !  305 

Cloud  after  cloud  invades  the  angry  ikies  ; 

Even  now  o'er  earth,  fierce  peals  commencing  roar, 

And  round  the  concave  fiara.es  vindictive  pour  ; 

Hark,  with  what  din  the  difian:  whirlwinds  roll  ! 

How  the  floods  threaten  from  the  thundering  pole!     310 

Rife,  nimbly-rife,  burft  every  dead  delay, 

And  fly,  ere  fury  fweep  our  race  away. 

But  where,  oh  where  mall  hap'efs  Jfrael  fly  ? 
Where  find  a  covert,  when  the  ruin's  nip.  : 
Will  no  kind  land  the  wiih'd  recefs  difcloib  !  31 ; 

No  friendly  refuge  foothe  our  long,  long  woe:-  ? 
Yes,  the  fair,  fruitful  land,  with  rapture  crow  vd, 
Where  once  our  fires  a  fweet  retirement  found. 
That  land,  our  refuge  Heaven's  high  will  0 
Pleas'd  with  our  prayers,  and  piteous  of  our  p~  32a 

Hail  favour'd  realms,  where  no  rude  tempeit  blows ! 
Scene  retreats,  and  frftdes  of  kind  repofe  ! 
Ordain'd,  the  union'd  blifs  of  life  to  prove, 
The  wreaths  of  glory,  and  the  bovvers  of  love  ! 
There  the  great  prince,  with  awful  fplendorcrown'd, 
From  foes  mall  guard  us,  and  with  peace  funound, 
Jn  no  rude  combat  fated  to  engage, 
Nor  fir'd  by  clarions  to  vindictive  rage. 
There  cares  divine  fftall  yield  the  fweet  r?pa(r, 

the  loathing  tdftf  J         }$d 
With  die  1 

And  r  fcg9  faceted  this  garb  of* 

Our  tribes,  Fn 
. 


JB    O     O    K      I.  ii 

Her  floods  of  boundlefs  wealth  the  river  roll,        [the pole. 
And  fpring,  with  autumn  join'd,  beam  temperate    round 

For  tnefe  blefs'd  joys,  what  mind,  fo  left  to  fhanie, 
Can  grudge  the  tribute,  regal  glories  claim  f 
E.eturn,  how  due  !  Devoid  of  decent  fhow, 
How  foon  would  Power  to  trampled  wea*kne/s  grow  ?  340 
How  foon  bafe  mind?  the  feeble  ju^ge  deride,' 
And  beggar'd  rulers  qu^ke  at  wealthy  pride  ? 
Nor  thejuft  doom  can  Avarice'  Celt  deny, 
Who  mare  the  blemng  nrjfl:  the  tax  fupply. 
No  danger  now  even  timid  mines  c.n  fear,  345 

Left  ftern  OppreXion  lift  her  rod  fevere: 
Unlike pufjti re's,  who  rais.'d  impatietit  cries, 
A  fairer  doom  awaits  us  from  the  fkies. 
Taught  by  our  hated  flight,  the  nation  knows 
How,  join'd  with  ours,  their  vaft  dominion  grows  ;    350 
Di&joip'd,  how  fwift  the  iveaken'd  tribes  dec?.)', 
To  foes  a  triumph,  and  to  fchifms  a  prey. 

Ev'n  now  with  friendly  joy  their  bofoms  burn, 
And  with  fond  prefcienee  hail  our  wiih'd  return  ; 
Bid  our  own  hands  the  grateful  covenant  frame,  35- 

Prepar'd  to  give,  what  avarice  fcarce  can  claim  ; 
Our  tons  invite  their  boundlefs  wealth  to  mare. 
Garlands  of  fame,  and  fweet  repofe  cf  care. 
.  Here,  warriors,  here  the  dreaded  miferies  How, 
Scenes  of  dire  fcorn,  and  feats  of  thickening  woe.         360 
For  blefs'd  as  hope  can  paint,  o'er  all  our  toil 
Let  conque  ft  flour  lib,  and  let  glory  fmile  ; 
Stiil  in  long  train,  what  ceaie:e(s  ills  await  ! 
The  wafte  of  war,  and  frowns  of  adverfe  fare  !  %Ct 

While,  fheath'd  in  arms,  the  conquer'd  realms  we  guard, 
End  of  hnr  pains,  and  patience'  wiih'd  reward, 
Thofe realm?  what  culturing  hand  .hall  teach  to  bloom  ? 
Or  bid  bright  vefture  purple  o'er  the  loom  ?  ^ 

Unfed,  uncloath'd,  our  tribes  fhall  wa£e  away,         - 
Our  lands  grow  wild,  and.  wary  ait  decay.  170 


12  B     O     O     K      I. 

Whofe  wifdom  then  mall  equal  lots  divine, 
And  round  each  province  lead  the  bordering  line  ? 
Will  none,  for  fancied  wrongs,  the  falchion  draw, 
His  arm  the  umpire,  and  his  will  the  law, 
O'er  his  friend's  prize  with  rude  irruption  pour,  375 

Burft  nature's  bonds,  and  bathe  in  kindred  gore  ? 

Whofe  chofen  hand  the  fceptre  then  mail  fway  ? 
What  fyftem'd  rule  the  union'd  tribes  obey? 
To  my  pain'd  eyes  what  hideous  profpecls  fpread, 
When  impious  Faclion  rears  her  fnaky  head  !  380 

Array'd  in  favage  pomp,  Deftru&ion  reigns 
O'er  flaming  cities,  and  o'er  crimfon  plains  ; 
Friends,  againft  friends,  that  knew  but  one  fond  heart, 
Aim  the  dark  knife,  and  lift  the  fecret  dart ; 
In  brother's  blood  unfeeling  brother?  wade,  385 

And  parent's  bofoms  fheath  the  filial  blade. 
Let  Pity  round  the  fcene  extend  her  veil, 
And  thrilling  virtue  fhun  the  dreadful  tale  ! 
Or  (hall  one  arm  the  flatc  forever  fway  ? 
And,  funk  to  Hock?,  our  torpid  race  obey  ?  353 

One  voice,  thro'  ages,  Jacob's  pride  controul, 
Ourfelves  the  clay,  an:*  he  th'  all-moving  foul  ? 
Perifh  the  thought!   t'  oppofc  a  tyrant's  reign, 
One  patriot  life  fliall  fW  from  every  vein  ; 
Jn  lfrael's  caufe  (hall  burft  this  fearlefs  voice,  393 

Arid  this  bold  arm  avenge  the  frtc-born  choice. 
Rife,  warriors,  rife  !  defert  this  dreary  plain, 
Thefe  fields  of  flaughter,  and  thefe  haunts  of  pain  ! 
To  fcenes  of  brighter  name,  to  happier  fkies, 
To  other  Edens  lift  your  raptur'd  eyes  !  40* 

The  world's  fair  Emprefs  chides  our  dull  delay, 
Spreads  her  fond  arms,  and  bids  us  halte  away, 
To  blifs.to  glory  ;  fcize  th'  aufpicious  re. 
And  claim  your  intereit  in  the  hlciVd  abc^' 
The  hero  fpoke.      As  when,  in  diilant  fkies, 
-roli'd,  the  darkening  ftorm  begins  to 


B    O    O    K      I.  13 

Thro'the  deep  grove,  and  thro'  the  founding  vale, 

Roar  the  long  murmurs  of  the  fweeping  gale  : 

So  round  the  throng  a  hoarfe  applaufe  was  heard, 

And  growing  joy  in  every  face  appear'd.  410 

On  a  tall  rock,  whofe  top  o'erlook'd  the  plain, 
The  Leader  rofe,  and  hufh'd  the  reverent  train. 
By  Hanniel  warm'd,  with  airy  vifions  fir'd, 
He  fawgay  hope  their  glowing  minds  infpir'd, 
In  profpect  bright,  at  hand  fair  Egypt  lay,  415 

Divine  the  pleafure,  and  fccure  the  way  ; 
With  calm,  frank  afpecl,  that  ferenely  fmiPd, 
His  port  all-winning,  and  his  accent  mild  ; 
Too  wife,  to  thwart  at  once  the  general  choice, 
Or  hope  to  fvvay  alone  by  reafon's  voice,  420 

He  thus  began.     Ye  heirs  of  Jacob's  name, 
Let  JoPnua's  voice  your  generous  candor  claim.- 
In  Ifrael's  facred  caufe  my  toils  ye  know, 
My  midnight  watchings,  and  my  morning  woe. 
Your  long,  lone  path  my  wakeful  eye  furvey'd,  425 

Charm'd  the  fad  wild,  and  cheer'd  the  languid  head  ; 
Sooth'd  drooping  ficknefs,  banim'd  fear's  alarms 
And  clafp'd  the  orphan  with  delighted  arms  ; 
'Gainil  fierce  invafions  rais'd  a  guardian  ihield, 
The  firft  to  feek,  the  laft  to  leave,  the  field  ;  430 

For  all  your  tribes  a  parent's  fondnefs  prov'd, 
FulfilPd  each  wiih,  and  even  your  wanderings  lov'd. 

In  thofe  fad  fcenes,  when  pity  owns  applaufe, 
Not  Hanniel's  tears  adorn  a  fairer  caufe. 
For  Ifrael's  woe  does  Kanniel  fmgly  (eel  ?  43- 

Are~  thefe  ey-es  blind  ?  or  is  this  boforn  fieel  ? 
When  ceas'd  thefe  hands  from  toil  ?  or  what  ftrange  fun 
Saw  Jofhua's  feet  the  haunts  of  danger  fnun  ? 
Your  eyes  have  feen,  thefe  honeil  fears  proclaim 
How  oft  this  breait  has  pour'd  the  vital  ftream:  440 

Still  be  k  pour'd.      A  nation's  caufe  to  fave, 
fife's  a  poor  price  ;  the  field  an  envied  grave. 


H 


BOOK      I. 


Whatever  voice  your  welfare  fhall  divine, 

My  heart  (hall  welcome  and  my  hand  (hall  join  : 

But,  calmly  weigh'd,  let  Truth qur  counfets  guide, 

And  Reafon's  choice  the  deftin'd  courfe  decide. 

So  prone  the  mind  in  error's  path  to  rove, 

T'  explore  is  wifdom,  and  'tis  biifs  to  prove. 

Charm'd,  at  firft  fight,  when  pleasures  rife  to  view, 

Each  painted  icenc  our  ventrous  thoughts  purfue  ;       4.50 

Jn  airy  vifions  far-feen  Edens  rife, 

And  iiles  of  pleafure  tempt  enamour'd  eyes. 

On  the  calm  tide,  to  aromatic  gales, 

Oar  fearlcfj  hands  exalt  impatient   fails  ; 

Thro'  fapphirc  floods  the  baric  forefees  its  way,    '       4,5 

While  wanton  billows  fmoothly  round  it  pi 

Nor  lueds  the  angry  llorm,  that  with  d  or, 

Ciimbs  dark  behind  the  hill,  an  J  hopes  th'  avenging  hoar, 

Warn'd  by  my  voice,  luch  hi  1  fly, 

And  each  gay  prafpeCt  fcan  with  learchtng  eye.  460 

Jn  realms  far  dirtant  fpreads  th'  exptcled  more, 
Hiljsrtfe  between,  and  boiling  oceans  roar  : 
Two  tirefeme  ways  invite  our  wearied  bands, 
Thro' trackl efs  deferts,  or  through  hoftile  lards. 

Say,  fhall.  our  iteps  again  the  wa'V  perya  le,  465 

Dare  the  fierce  heat,  and  tempt  th'  impoifon'd  fhade  ? 
Confult  yon  chief;   his  voice  again  fhall  HI 
Thofe  dreary  fcenes,  hcpai:md  row  fo  weU. 

Or  fhall  our  feet,  its  dangers  hid  from  view, 
Thro'  peopled  real ms,  a  nearer  pat!  x-/# 

1  blufh,  when  falfehood  lea  Is  the  chofen  tril  es, 
Where  folly  di&ates,  and  whare  K*ar  preferibes. 
One  foe  to  ihun,  fhall  fiercer  foes  be  tr>e^  ? 
Death  their  delight,  and  war  their  earlier!  r  474 

Lo  the  fierce  wrath,  at  T  'ain  that  burn'd, 

And  Korah's  holt  to  in.'Lr.u  corfes  turn'd, 
Rou-Al  to  more  dreadful  I  nr  guilt  to  (y/, 

And  fee  our  feet  to  hated  Egypt  ffy, 


B    O    O    K      I.  .1$ 

Shaft  wing  PhiliiKa's  hoft  to  death  and  war, 

And  bid  fierce  Midian  whirl  the  thundering  car  5        480 

Fail  on  her  prey  avenging  Amalek  fall, 

And  guilt  and  terror  every  heart  appall ; 

Our  wives,  our  Tons,  to  favage  wrath  be  given, 

Fcait  famiflVd  wolves,  and  glut  the  hawks  of  heaven, 

No  fancied  doom  my  boding:  words  declare  :  48 > 

Truth,  fix'das  .mountains,  fills  your  ftartled  ear. 
To  every  beail  the  lamb  rrefentsa  prey, 
And  coward  bands  invite  the  world  to  flay. 

But  will  ye  tremble  for  one  fliameful  fall  ? 
Shall  one  loft  combat  Abraham's  race  appall  ?  490 

Is  Aram  dead  !   to  rapid  vengeance  fly  ; 
By  me  his  orphan  babes  for  vengeance  cry  ; 
Fir'd    by  his  fate,  your  nerves  let  ardour  firing, 
Exalt  the  ftandard,  and  to  combat  fpring. 
Even  Zimri  fears,  by  flrong  arFeclions  led,  495 

While  his  fond  bofom  mourns  his  Aram  dead. 
Of  all  the  fympathy,  that  woes  impart 
To  the  foft  texture  of  the  good  man's  heart, 
Departed  friendihip  claims  the  large!!  (hare, 
Andforrow  in  excefs  is  virtue  there.  503' 

But.  timid  paffion  !   Grief,  with  (lartled  eye 
Spies  fancied  ills,  and  quakes,  ere  danger's  nigh/ 

Yon  chief  demands,  why  fled  the  guardian  fire  ? 
What  unknown  folly  bade  the  cloud  retire  ? 
That  bafe  diftruft,  which  glorious  fight  delays,  505 

That  fmooth,  clofe  fraud  which  tempts  to  dangerous  ways, 
Thefe  claim  the  foourge  of  Heaven:  be  thefe  aton'd, 
Each  fear  mall  vanim,  and  each  hope  be  crown'd. 

While  thus  the  Chief  their  bofoms  warm'd  anew, 
And  every  ear,  and  heart,  ro  virtue  drew  ;  5 10 

Their  kindling  zeal  impatient  Hanniel  eyed, 
Shock  for  his  caufe,  and  frown 'd  with  ftartled  pride  : 
When  thofe,  he  cried,  whole  choice  our  warriors  loft, 
Of  truth  expatiate,  and  of  wifdomboaft, 


*6  BOOK      1; 

With  jud  difdain  my  rifing  fpirlts  burn,  51^ 

And  my  pain'd  heart,  at  times,  forgets  to  mourn  ; 

To  fhame,  to  flight,  docs  facred  Wifdom  lead  ? 

Does  facred  Truth  command  our  fons  to  bleed  ? 

B.oufe  then  to  arms;  lo  Ai' impatient  ftands, 

And  yields  the  doom,  our  eager  wifh  demands  ;  520 

In  wifdom's  caufe  with  active  zeal  engage, 

Arid  fall,  a  fplendid  triumph  to  their  rage. 

Far  happier  lot,  to  meet  the  falchion's  fway  ! 

Than,  one  by  one,  thus  lingering,  wafte  away. 

Far  other  end  yon  Chief  ambitious  eyes ;  cz? 

ConceaPd  by  virtue's  mafic  the  danger  lies. 
Unbrib'd,  unaw'd,  the  honeil  talk  I  claim,' 
Toburftthe  veil,  and  ward  th'  impending  fhame. 
Long  vers'd  in  wiles,  the  lutf  of  power  his  guide, 
He  lulls  our  caution.and  inflates  our  pride;  53* 

With  fenfe,  that  darts  through  man  a  fearching  view, 
WkJl  pride,  that  refl,or  limits  never  knew, 
To  deep  defigns    millruftlefs  hearts  he  draws, 
With  freedom  foothes,  and  cheats  with  fiatter'd  laws  ; 
A  crown  to  feizc,  the  patriot's  tire  can  claim,  53$ 

And  mock  with  feeming  zeaJ  the  fearful  Name. 
Full  well  he  knows  that,  worne  by  flow  delay. 
Our  generous  tribes  fhall  fall  an  eafy  prey  ; 
That  long-felt  influence,  great  by  habit  grown, 
Climbs  to  firm  fway,  and  fwells  into  a  throne.  54a 

vvarn'd,  be  warn'd  ;   the  threatening  evils  fly, 
And  feek  repofe  beneath  a  kinder  fky. 
Short  is  the  toil,  the  well-known  path  (ecure, 
The  pleafure  endlefs,  and  the  triumph  fure. 

d,  each  land  will  ope  the  deftin'd  road, 
And  fmnling  guide  us  to  the  wiih'd  abode. 
Freed  from  the  fearful  (form  that jound  them  fprcad, 
Their  hearts  (nail  hftfl  us,  and  then  hands  fhall  aid. 

in  terror  there  fhall  rile  ; 
No  dreadfol  Jabin  ipring  10  fuze  the  pri  5  ;• 


BOOK      I.  if 

hills  to  fierce  vindictive  war 
No  frowning  Jobab  roll  his  iron  car  : 
From  death's  alarms  the  potent  king  (hall  guard, 
And  bowers  of  tranfport  yield  the  bright  reward. 

He  fpoke.     Like  Angels  drefs'd  in  glory's  primes 5' 
With  confeions  worth,  and  dignity  fublime, 
While  the  ftill  thoafandi  gaz'd  with  glad  furprize, 
His  great-  foul  living  in  his  piercing  eyes, 
The  Chief  return'd.     By  wild  ambition  tofs'd, 
To  fhame  impervious,  and  to  virtue  loft,  56*0 

Here  bend  thine  eye,  thy  front  unblufhingrear  j 
Let  frozen  Confcience  point  no  (ling  (cvere  ; 
Then  tell,  if  faifehood  lends  thee  power  to  tell, 
Thy  mind  believes  one  fcene,  thy  lips  reveal  ; 
One  black  afperfion,  form'd  to  blot  my  name  ;  $65 

Or  one  vain  profpecl,  rais'd  for  ffrael's  fharr.e. 
Difclofe  what  dreaded  toil  this  arm  has  fled  ; 
On  what  dire  plain  this  bofom  fail'd  to  bleed: 
Tell,  if  thou  caoft,  when,  lui'd  by  intereft's  call, 
One  nerve,  one  wifii  forgot  the  blifs  of  all.  570 

Jn  virtue  arm'd,  while  Confcience  gayly  fmiles, 
I  mock  thy  fraud,  ami  triumph  o'er  thy  wiles  : 
Thy  darts  impoifon'd  peace  and  glory  bring  ; 
'Tia  guilt  alone  gives  flander  ftrength  to  fting. 
Blufh,  Hanniel,  blufh  ;   to  yondej-  tent  depart;  57$ 

Let  humbler  withes  rule  thy  er.vious  heart  j 
Cain  the  wide  loft  of  power  ;  contracl'thy  pride  ; 
Repent  thofe  black  defigns,  thou  canft  not  hide  ; 
Ouce  more  to  Heaven  thy  long-loft  pravers  revive, 
And  know,  the  mind  that  counfels  can  forgive.  580 

Can  I,  as  God,  unfailing  blifs  affu're, 
Foil  with  a  wiih,  and  peace  at  choice  fecure  ? 
What  nature  can,  this  arm  unbroke  fhall  bear, 
Whate'er  man  dar'd,  tb;s  breaft  unftiaken  dare 
Canaan's  hoft,  thofe  eyes  with  pain  (hall  view  585 

My  falchion  vanquish,  and  my  feet  purfue ; 

D 


ig  B    O    Or    K      L 

On  Ifrael's  faithful  fons  this  hand  beftow 
The  blifs  of  quiet,  and  the  balm  of  woe. 

Should  then  thefe  thoughts,  to  bafe  ambition  grown, 
With  impious  madnefs  build  the  envied  throne,  590 

Towing  my  doom  let  rapid  lightnings  fly, 
And  pamper'd  hounds  the  peaceful  grave  deny. 
Mine  be  the  blifs, the  blifs  fupreme  to  fee 
My  long-lov'd  nation  blefs'd,  and  blefs'd  by  me  : 
Let  others  rule;  compar'd  with  this  pure  joy,  595 

A  throne's  a  bubble,  and  the  world  a  toy. 

In  reafon's  face  let  all  thy  wifhes  fpeed  ; 
Let  foes  befriend  thee,  and  let  Heaven  fucceed  : 
Then  count  thy  gains ;  the  mighty  prize  furvey  ; 
And  ilraws,  and  bubbles,  mail  thofe  gains  outweigh.   600 
"Wrought  in  gay  looms^thy  golden  robes  fhall  glare  ; 
Rich  banquets  tempt,  and  lufcious  wines  enfnare  : 
But  to  vile  mow  fhall  Men  their  blifs  confine  ? 
Or  fink  to  brutes,  and  only  live  to  dine  ? 

On  thefe  poor  joys  what  dreadful  ills  attend  ?  605 

Pears  ever  riling  !  miferies  ne'er  to  end  ! 
Tho'  whelm'd  in  floods  one  impious  tyrant  lies, 
In  the  thron'd  fon  (hall  all  the  father  rife  ; 
The  fame  b|ack  heart  ;   the  fame  beclouded  mind  ; 
To  pity  marbled, and  to  reafon  blind.  610- 

Search  ancient  times  :  the  annal'd  page  run  o'er  ; 
With  curious  eye  the  fun's  long  courfe  explore  ; 
Scarce  can  each  age  a  fingle  king  confefs, 
Who  knew  to  govern,  or  who  wiih'd  to  brefs  : 
The  reft,  of  earth  the  terror,  or  the  fcorn,  615 

By  knaves  exalted,  and  by  cowards  borne. 
To  lords  like  thefe  fhall  Ifrael's  millions  bow  ? 
Bend  the  falfe  knee,  and  force  the  perjar'd  vow  > 
A  few  fliort  years,  our  wealth  content  to  (hare, 
The  reft  their  greedy  hands  to  toil  may  fpare  :  6z9 

But  loon,  full  foon,  their  envious  minds  fli all  know 
Our  growth  their  ruiu,  aiid  our  peace  their  woe. 


B     O    O     K      I.  19 

Then  all  the  plagues,  from  jealous  power  that  fpring, 
And  death,  the  tender  mercy  of  a  king,  624 

Your  breafls  mall  feel-;  and,  rack'd  with  anguifh,  mourn 
The  day,  when  madnefs  counfell'd  to  return. 

Can  I  forget,  how,  from  the  dunghill  rais'd, 
Villains  who  bow'd,  and  iycophants  who  prais'd, 
O'er  Jacob's  heirs  were  fcepter'd  to  prefide, 
Their  tributes  gather,  and  their  labors  guide  ?  630 

From  them,  each  cruel  pang  your  heart  fba!l  rive, 
That  coward  minds,  or  ofHcM  fiaves,  can  give  : 
Their  daring  hands  prophane  the  fpotlefs  charms, 
That  yield  fbfc  tranfport  to  your  melting  arms ; 
Each  generous  thought  the  brandifn'd  fcourge  controu! 
And  Infult  rend  the  agonizing  foul.  CyS 

Then  too  Ihall  Egypt,  fir'd  with  wrath>  recal 
The  plagues  they  felt,  their  king's,  their  nation's  fall  ; 
Againft  your  race,  while  Vengeance  fpreads  the  wing, 
With  fury  arm  them,  and  lo  torture  fpring  ;  £40 

Your  facred  dome  fhali  burn  ;  your  altars  rend ; 
Your  priefts  deftroy  ;  your  hated  worship  end. 

Jn  that  dread  period,  what  au.fpicious  fhore 
Shall  banifh'd  Virtue's  lifted  wings  explore? 
In  what  new  realm,  when,  crufh'd,  her  votaries  fail,  64.5 
Build  the  bright  dome,  and  fpread  the  hallow'd  veil; 
Her  priefis  infpire  ;  her  altars  teach  to  rife, 
And  waft  her  morning  incenfe  to  the  Ikies  ? 
Her  final  flight  your  hearts  in  vain  mall  mourn ; 
In  vain,  with  angaifn,  call  her  wiih'd  return  ;  £50 

In  vain  the  hour  extatic  figh  to  find, 
And  the  fweet  fabbath  of  a  guiltlefs  mind. 

To  Egypt's  crimes  our  fons- fhali  fall  a  prey, 
And  learn  her  manner?,  while  they  own  her  fway  : 
From  many  a  bower  obfcene  the  poifon  glL'e,  65$ 

Taint  tha  young  foul,  and  freeze  the  vital  tide  5 
The  facred  Law  our  rifmg  hope  forfake, 
And  lifp  oat  curfes,  ere  they  know  to  fpeak : 


20  B     O     O    K      I. 

Sad  Cor.fcicnce  bow  beneath  an  iron  rod, 

And  torpid  Reafon  own  a  reptile  God.  65» 

Then,  rous'd  to  wrath,  (hall  Heaven  refuf'  to  hear  ; 
Mock  all  your  pangs,  and  hifs  your  bitter  prayer  : 
In  poifon'd  gales,  its  waiting  ciufes  rife  ; 
The  plague  empurpled  taint  the  fickly  dies : 
The  fields  all  wither,  famine  rend  the  breaft,  665 

And  babes,  fad  victims  !   yield  the  dire  repaft. 

Then  from  Sabeari  climes,  with  hideous  found, 
Swift  cars  (hall  roll,  and  favage  war  refound  ; 
To  bleod,  to  vengeance,  chiefs  their  hofts  infpre. 
Spread  boundlefs  death, and  wrap  the  world  in  fire  :     670 
Oar  fons,  blefs'd  refuge  of"  the  waning  year  !  . 
Charm  of  fad  toil,  and  fweet  repofe  of  care  ! 
5Gainlt  their  own  haplefs  fires  with  foes  combine, 
And  with  new  anguilh  point  the  dart  divine. 

Thus  o'er  our  race  (hall  matchlefs  mifery  roll,  675 

And  death,  and  bondage  blaft  the  rifing  foul  ; 
Tiil  the  lad  dregs  of  vengeance  Heaven  expend, 
Blot  out  our  race,  and  Ifrael's  glory  end  ; 

In  final  darknefs  fet  our  fun's  pale  beam, 

And  black  oblivion  lhroud  our  haplefs  name.  63o 

For  this  dire  end,  were  fuch  bright  fcenes  beftow'd  ? 

For  this,  th'  eternal  covenant  JeaPd  by  God  ? 

For  this  did  ocean's  trembling  waves  divide, 

And  o'er  pale  Egypt  roll  their  whelming  tide  ? 

For  this,  the  feraph  lead  our  (acred  band*  ?  6S5 

For  this  loud  thunder  fpeak  the  dread  commands  ? 

From  the  hard  rock  refreshing  waters  rife  ? 

The  food  of  angels  fliowcr  from  balmy  flcies  ? 

The  fun-bright  wafte  itr  flaming  heats  allay, 

And  Jordan's  parting  billows  yield  our  way  ?  f'OO 

But  Hanniel  cries,  Thofc  wondrous  figni  were  given, 

To  fcourge  our  guilt,  and  bend  our  hearts  to  Heaven. 

Wore  ilii.s  liu-  end,  fierce  famine  had  annoy 'U  ; 

The  plague  had  wailed,  or  the  fwoid  dcitrov'd. 


B    O    O    K      I.  21 

To  fairer  blifs  he  led  the  chofen  train  695 

Thro'  the  dark  wave,  and  o'er  the  howling  plain, 

Ordain'd,  when  yon  proud  towers  in  dull  are  hurl'd, 

To  found  an  empire,  and  to  rule  a  world  ; 

O'er  earth's  far  realms  bid  truth  and  virtue  mine. 

And  fpread  to  nature's  bounds  the  Name  divine.  j:co 

What  tho'  a  few  bafe  minds  the  courfe  oppofe, 
Slaves  of  poor  pride,  and  Ifrael's  bitter  foes  ; 
For  pomp,  for  banquets  would  their  race  dcltroy, 
And  fmile,  to  fell  a  nation  for  a  toy ; 
What  tho'  of  lifelefs  mold,  a  feeble  race  705 

With  fouls  "of  maids  thefhape  of  men  difgrace  ; 
Think  life  no  life,  unblefs'd  with  torpid  eafe, 
Shrink  from  afhield,  and  fhiver  at  a  breer.e  : 
'Gainft  thofe  let  JufHce'  angry  falchion  flame, 
And  huffing  Vengeance  blaft  their  impious  name:         71* 
Thefe  drefs  th'  inglorious  loom  ;  in  ileep  decay, 
And  to  their  kindred  nothing  fleet  away, 

Far  other  mind  our  true-born  race  infpires ; 
Keen  bravery  prompt?,  and  Abraham's  virtue  fires  : 
I  fee  to  combat  ardent  heroes  rife  ;  y\  r 

I  fee  bright  glory  flam  from  fparkling  eyes  ; 
Hark  a  glai  cry  !   that  every  danger  brave?, 
44  Perifh  the  day,  ere  Ifrael's  fons  be  flaVes  ;" 
Swift  pour  new  transports  thro'  my  thrilling  veins  ; 
Heaven's  voice  in  thunder  calls  trf'-.oftilc  plains :  jzq 

Mark,  mark  the  found  divine  !   ceafe  every  care  ; 
Gird  on  your  arms,  and  wake  to  manly  war  : 
To  bright  pofleflions  glory  points  the  wav, 
And  calls  her  fons,  her  heroes,  to  the  pray.  ■ 

By  friendftrip's  ties,  religion's  bands  combin'd,       72s 
By  birth  united,  and  by  intered  join'd, 
Jn  the  fame  view  our  every  with  confpires, 
One  fpirit  actuates,  and  one  genius  fires  ; 
Plain,  generous  manners  vigorous Jimbs confefs, 
And  vigorous  minds  to  freedom  ardent  prefs;    '     -     750 


22  BOOK      I, 

In  danger's  path  our  eyes  ferenely  fmile, 
And  vvell-flrung  finews  hail  accuftom'd  toil. 

'Gainft  hofts  like  thefe  what  foe  with  hope  can  arm  ? 
What  numbers  daunt  them  ?  or  what  fears  alarm  ? 
To  reeds  before  them  deadly  fpears  mall  turn,  735 

Swords  blunt  their  edge,  and  flames  forget  to  burn  ; 
To  the  flight  mound  defcend  the  heaven-topp'd  wall, 
The  floods  grow  dry,  and  hills  and  mountains  fall. 

Rife  then  to  war ;  awake  to  bright  alarms  ; 
Hail  the  glad  trump,  and  feize  your  eager  arms  !         740 
Behold,  my  fons,  behold  withraptur'd  eyes, 
How  flight  the  toil,  how  vafi  the  glorious  prize  ! 
Thefe  golden  robes  the  fateofSihon  tell, 
How  Midian  yielded,  and  how  Amalek  fell ; 
How  funk  proud  Jericho's  invaded  wall,  745 

And  wide  Canaan  trembled  at  her  fall ; 
How  through  each  region  rings  the  dreadful  cry. 
And  their  wild  eye-bails  fee  deftruction  nigh. 
That  faith,  that  arm  of  iteel,  that  dauntlefs  foul 
That  bade  o'er  Bafhan's  walls  deftrnclion  roll,  750 

O'er  fields,  o'er  towers,  fhall  Ifrael's  fiandard  bear, 
Turn  realms  to  flight,  and  wreft  the  prize  of  war; 
Fill  life  with  glory  ;  Heaven's  complacence  gain, 
And  call  fair  Peace  to  cheer  the  crimfon  plain. 

Then  o'er  wide  lands,  as  blikful  Eden  bright,         7^5 
Type  of  the  flues,  and  feats  of  pure  delight, 
Our  fons,  with  proiperous  courfe,  fhall  flretch  their  fway, 
And  claim  an  empire,  fpread  from  fea  to  fea  : 
In  one  great  whole  th'harmonious  tribes  combine  ; 
Trace  Jullice'  path,  and  choofe  their  chiefs  divine  ;     7^0 
On  Freedom's  bafe  erccl  the  heavenly  plan  ; 
Teach  laws  to  reign,  aud  fave  the  rights  of  man. 
Then  fmiling  An  (hall  wrap  the  fields  in  bloom, 
Fine  the  rich  ore,  and  guide  the  ufeful  loom  ; 
Then  lofty  towers  in  golden  pomp  nrifc  ;  ~6$ 

Then  fpiry  cities  m<*et  aufpiciou-  tide*  : 


B    O    O    K      I.  -2% 

The  Tout  on  Wifdom's  wing  fublimely  foar^ 

New  vfrtues  cherifh,  and  new  truths  explore : 

Thro'  time's  long  tracl:  our  name  celeftial  run, 

Climb  in  the  eaft,  and  circle  with  the  fan  ;  770 

And  fmiling  Glory  flretch  triumphant  wings 

O'er  hofts  of  heroes*  and  o'er  tribes  of  kings. 

The  Leader  fpoke  ;  and  deep  in  every  breaft 
A  thrilling  joy  his  cheerful  voice  imprefs'd. 
Round  the  wide  train,  late  drown'd  in  fad  difmay,      775 
His  eyes  refulgent  carl  a  living  ray  : 
Soul  caught  from  foul  the  quick,  enlivening  charm  5 
Each  parent's  vifage  bade  his  children  arm  ; 
In  every  heart  th'  undaunted  wifh  began  ; 
O'er  the  glad  field  a  pleating  murmur  ran  ;  78a 

On  Ai's  high  walls  they  cail  a  longing  eye, 
Refolv'd  to  conquer,  or  prepar'd  to  die. 
So,  when  the  northeaft  pours  a  deepening  florin, 
Night  fhades  the  world,  and  clouds  the  heaven  deform, 
Loud  on  fame  fhip  defcends  the  driving  ram,  785 

And  winds  imperious  tofs  the  forging  main  ; 
DifTolv'd  in  terror,  failors  eye  the  wave, 
Lift  ardent  prayers,  and  wait  the  gaping  grave : 
If  chance  in  beauty's  bloom  the  morn  arife, 
Still  the  rough  roar,  and  charm  the  troubled  ikies,       790 
Serenely  opening,  far  the  billows  o'er, 
The  blue-feen  mountains,  and  the  native  more; 
Raptur'd  the  new-born  day  with  fhouts  they  hail, 
And  flretch  their  canvas  to  the  joyous  gale. 

When  lickening  Hanniel  faw  their  bofoms  glow,       79^ 
Their  fierce  eyes  burn,  and  tears  of  tranfport  flow, 
The  lov'd,  the  fond  dellgn,  his  changeful  mind,] 
"With  fecret  pangs,  to  happier  hours  coniign'd. 
High  o'er  the  reft  his  fhouts  dh>inguiih'd  rofe  ; 
With  well  feign'd  fmiles  his  artful  vifage  glows,  So* 

And  thus  his  voice— -When  pierc'd  with  lfracl's  grief 
I  flrove  in  vain  to  lend  the  wi&M  relief, 


*4  B     O     O     K      I, 

Perhaps  this  heart ,  by  nat. ire  prone-to  know 

The  good  man's  intereft.  in  his  country's  woe, 

Of  peace,  and  profperous  arms  too  fo€»n  defpair'd,         805 

Unreal  ills  forclaw,  and  fancied  dangers  fear'd. 

Yet  AiJl  thofe  views  a  kind  indulgence  claim, 

Your  fame  their  glory,  and  yoarblifs  their  aim. 

Should  this  bold  courfe  be  doom'd  to  woe  fevere, 

Pure  is  my  warning  voice,  my  confcicnce  clear;  8i» 

On  de^tin'd  fight  mould  friendly  Conqueft  imile, 

With  joy,  my  foul  (hall  welcome  every  toil  ; 

In  Ifrael's  caufe,  to  fcenes  of  danger  driven, 

To  war  is  tranfport,  and  to  die  is  heaven. 

The  hero  ceas'd  :  a  faint  applaufe  was  he2rd,  815 

And  half-form'd  fmiies  around  the  plain  appear'd, 
With  ftartling  found  the  trump's  deep  voice  began  ; 
To  feize  their  aims  the  raptur'd  thoufands  ran  ; 
When  Caleb,  reverend  chief,  all  white  with  age, 
Serenely  rofe,  and  hufti'd  the  tumult's  rage.  82* 

Deep  thought  fate  mufing  on  his  furrow 'd  face  ; 
Calm  wifdom  round  him  call  an  awful  grace  ; 
With  fmiies  juft  Heaven  furvey'd  his  conftant  truth, 
Inncv'd  his  limbs,  and  lengthen'd  out  his  youth  : 
Even  now  his  arm  rejoie'd  the  fvvord  to  wteld,  825 

To  lead,  the  canted,  and  to  fweep  the  feld. 
Near  the  great  Chief,  in  purple  robes  he  fiood  ; 
Senfe,  from  his  tongue,  and  fweet  perfuafion  flow'd  ; 
Rour,d  the  wide  plain  attentive  filence  hung, 
And  thus  fage  counfels  fway'd  the  liflening  throng  .     85* 

My  voice  impels  to  arms ;  but  let  the  fky 
Lead  on  our  holt,  and  bid  the  heathen  fiy. 
Were  Ifracl  fpotlef,  in  the  Eternal's  fight, 
A\  had  not  boalled  1  victorious  right. 

When  Virtue  drck'd  us  in  divine  array,  835 

Joy  cheer'd  each  hour,  and  fmooth'd  the  rugged  wr.v  ; 
To  Irenes  of  fame  each  warrior  ardent  ran, 
And  claim'd  the  glorietoi  the  dreadiuivan. 


B    O    O    K      I.  25 

But  when  black  Vice  our  breads  with  poifon  flain'd, 
We  fhook  for  dangers  timorous  Fancy  feign'd  ;  840 

Each  ihameful  held  beheld  our  fquadrons  fly, 
And  heroes  arm'd  for  battle  but  to  die. 

And  now  fome  fin,  fome  folly,  not  bemaan'd, 
Rebellion  bold,  or  injury  unaton'd, 

Pours  on  our  heads  their  flood  of  grief  and  care,  S49 

Bids  Ai  exult,  and  all  our  fons  defpair. 
Elfe  round  the  heavenly  dome  the  cloud  had  fpread, 
And  facred  fires  illam'd  the  nightly  made. 

Let  the  whole  race  to  Goo  fubmifllve  bend  ; 
Let  ceafelefs  prayer  to  Mercy's  throne  afcend  ;  85 * 

'Till  the  third  mcrn,  the  pious  fall  endure  ; 
Each  deed  be  holy,  and  each  bofoni  pure  ; 
Then  o'er  our  path  with  joy  (hall  Heaven  pre-fide, 
Our  guilt  difcover;  and  our  counfels  guide. 
Then,  nor  'till  then,  to  war  let  trumpets  call  ;  85  J 

Lead  forth  thefe  bands,  and  mount  the  yielding  wall. 
But  mould  our  courfe,  this  day,  to  fight  be  driven, 
Should  arms  be  brandiih'd  in  the  face  of  Heaven, 
Lock  round  your  fteps  ;  -furvey  the  dreadful  road  ; 
Think  if  the  fword  and  fhield  can  war  with  God.       S6g> 

Thus  fpoke  the  fage.     Bleft  man  !  the  Chief  replied, 
The  war's  firfi  honour,  and  the  council's  pride  ! 
Thine  is  the  voice  of  Gen  :   th'  infpiring  ray 
Shines  thro'  thy  bread,  and  gives  the  brighter!  day. 
Two  days  (hall  combat  ceafe.     The  camp  around,      S65 
Let  the  fad  fad  in  every  tent  be  fouad  : 
Two  days  to  Heaven  be  rais'd  by  pious  fear 
The  grateful  tribute  of  a  humble  prayer. 
So  mall  wc  wipe  away  the  crimfon  dain, 
And  IfraePs  glory  gild  the  conquering  plain.  /  870 

He  fpoke.     Each  w  r.rrior  with  delight  obey'd  ; 
Each  cheerfal  face  th'  obfequioiis  mind  difplay'd. 
The  hod  difpeis'd  ;  and  prayers,  and  reverent  fighs 
Rjfe  ia  foft  incenfe  to  th'  approving  ikies. 
2 


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I 


The    CONQUEST    op     CANAAN. 
BOOK      II. 


BEYOND  thofa  weftern  hills,  whofe  haughty  brow, 
To  heaven  exalted,  fcorn'd  the  world  below, 
A  plain  outfpread,  with  growing  verdure  bright, 
And  flole,  extenfive,  from  the  aching  Tight. 
Here,  in  proud  pomp,  adorn'd  with  countlefs  fpires,         5 
That  mock'd  the  glories  of  the  folar  fires, 
Gibeon's  imperial  towers  fublimely  rofe, 
And  fpurn'd  the  terrors  of  furrounding  foes. 

Now  o'er  the  hills  red  itreams  began  to  burn, 
And  burfting fplendors  ufher'd  in  the  morn  ;  i# 

With  living  dies  the  flowers  all-beauteous  giow'd  ; 
O'er  the  glad  fields  etherial  odours  flovv'd  ; 
Th:  foreft  echoed  with  a  boundlefs  long, 
Andrifmg  breezes  pour'd  the  ftrains  alonj. 

Adorn'd  with  gree^n,  before  the  palace  lay  1 - 

A  fpacious  fquare,  and  fmil'd  npon  the  day. 
Here,  ere  the  dawn  the  kindling  Ikies  ilium 'd, 
Or  opening  Bowers  the  fragrant  gales  perfum'd, 
Qfevery  age,  a  valt,  aiTembled  train 
Pour'd  from  the  lofty  domes,  and  fill'd  the  plain.  2# 

High  in  the  midvt  two  facred  altars  fhone, 
Adorn'd  with  honours  to  their  God,  the  Sun. 
This,  deck'd  with  art,  and  bright  in  royal  pride, 
With  &ble  gore  the  quivering  victim  died ; 


SO 


*    O    O    K 


On  that  gay  flowers  in  rich  profusion  lay,  £5 

And  gales  of  Eden  bore  their  fweets  away. 

Here,  white  with  age,  in  fnowy  vefture  drefs'd, 
Aradon  flood,  their  monarch,  and  their  prieilj 
Red  in  his  hand  a  torch  refulgent  (hone, 
And  his  hx'd  countenance  watch'd  the  riling  fun.  5c 

When  nrft  the  flaming  Orb,  with  glorious  rays, 
RolPd  o'er  the  hills,  and  pour'd  a  boundlefs  blaze  ; 
Charm'd  at  the  fight,  the  monarch  ftretch'd  his  hand, 
And  touch'd  the  tributes  with  the  iacred  brand ; 
Through  frefhen'd  air  perfumes  began  to  rife,  35 

And  curling  volumes  mounted  to  the  &ies. 
Thrice  to  the  earth  the  raptur'd  fuppliants  how'd, 
T'htn  ftruckthe  lyre.,  and  hymn'd  the  rinng  God. 

O  thou,  whofe  btiffthtg  beams-  in  glory  rife, 
And  fail,  and  brighten,  thro'  unbounded  fkies  !  4c 

The  world's  great  Parent"!  heaven's  exalted  King  ? 
Sole  Source  of  good  \    and  life's  eternal  Spring  ! 
All  hail,  while  cloath'd  in  beauty's  cndlefs  ray, 
Thy  face  unclouded  gives  the  new-born  day  I 

Above  all  fcenes  is  plac'd  thy  heavenly  throne  ;  45 

Ere  time  began,  thy  fpotlefs  ^lender  fhore  ; 
Sublime  from  eait  to  well  thy  ehsriot  9d\h, 
Ciiears  the  Wide  earth,  and  warms  the  diilant  poT:' 
Commands  the  vegctaVc  race  to  gnft  , 
The  fruit  to  redden,  and  the  flower  to  blow.  r# 

This  world  was  born  to  charge  :  the  hnnd  of  Time 
Make3,  and  unmakes  the  fcenes  of  every  ciime. 
The  infect  millions  fcarce  the  ncr-n  fnrvm  ; 
One  tranfiei  t  day  the  flowery  nations  live: 
A  few  fhort  yer-rs  complete  t.hc  human  doom  ;  95 

Then  paie  Death  fumiaons  to  the  narrow  tomb. 

Lirtf2<?.     jfrmi  I  ..'rally  fup~ 

poffil  to  ha\c  been  a  commonwealth.     But  as  mon 
early  a^re,  had  a  chief  matrhlrare,  refted  v  it' 

:,  powers,  I  luvt  tiippofed 
ike  uf u«J  cpkhctfc 


»  o  6  k    n.  ^ 

LafaM  by  the  flood,  the  hard  rocks  wear  away  * 

Worne  by- the  ftorm,the  leaning  hills  decay  ; 

Unchang'd  alone  is  thine  exalted  flame, 

From  endlefs  years  to  endlefs  years  the  fame  ;  60 

Thy  fpie-vJors  with  immortal  beauty  ibine, 

Rdll  round  th'  eternal  heavens,  and  fpeak  thy  name  divine. 

When  thy  bright  throne,  beyond  old  ocean's  bound,  . 
Thro*  nether  fkies  purfues  its  dellin'd  round, 
Loft  in  th'  afcending  darknefs,  beauty  fades ;  6$. 

Thro'  the  blank  field,  an  !  thro*  the  woodland,  fpreada 
A  melancholy  filence.     O'er  the  plain 
Dread  lions  roam,  and  favage  terrors  reign. 

And  when  fad  Autumn  fees  thy  face  retire, 
And  happier  regions  hail  thy  orient  fire,  7$ 

High  in  the  ftorm  imperious  Winter  flies, 
And  defolation  faddens  all  the&ies. 
But  when  once  more  thy  beam  the  north  afcer.ds, 
Thy  light  invigerates,  and  thy  warmth  extends ; 
The  fields  rejoice,  the  groves  with  tranfport  ring,         75 
And  boundlefs  nature  hails  the  iky -born  fprir.g. 

Nor  even  in  winter's  gloom,  or  night's  fad  reign, 
Darts  the  warm  influence  of  thy  beams  in  vain. 

Beyond  the  main  fome  fairer  region  lies, 
Some  brighter  if  es  beneath  the  fouthern  Ones,  tm 

Where  crimfon  War  ne'er  bzde  the  clarion  rear, 
Nor  fanguir.e  billows  died  the  vernal  more  : 
No  thundering  ftorm  the  day's  bright  face  conceals, 
No  fummer  fcorches,  and  no  fro  ft  congeals  ; 
No  ficknefi  waftas,  no  grief  provokes  the  tear,  S5 

Nor  tainted  vapours  bl-ait  the  clement  year. 
Round  the  glad  day-ftar  endlefs  beauties  burn, 
And  crown'd  with  rainbows,  opes  th' imperial  morn  ; 
A  clear  unbounded  light  the  f&cs  difplay, 
And  purple  luftre  leads  the  changing  day.  g& 

O'er  cpnfcioas  ftjsde?,  and  bewers of  fcf:  repose, 
Young  breezes  fpring,  and  balrsy  fragrance  blows; 


$2  BOOK      II. 

The  fields  all  wanton  in  ferenefr.  beams, 

Wake  fairer  flowers,  and  roll  diviner  ftreams ; 

Thro'  tnc  long  vales  aerial  mufic  roves,  £  £ 

And  nobler  fruitage  bending  grove?. 

Thro*  (p. '  ms  as  the  realm  refin'd, 

Thine  in!luence  there  fublimes  th' immortal  mind; 
Its  active  pinions  fwift  thro'  nature  roam, 
Lofe  the  low  world  im  a  nobler  home.  100 

Their  limbs,  of  endlcfs  life,  with  glory  crown'd, 
New  youth  improves,  and  growing  charms  furround : 
On  the  blefs'd  more  thy  fglendors  love  to  Thine, 
And  raife  thy  Tons  each  hour,  to  raptures  more  divine. 

Thus  ceasYi  the  found  :  the  harp's  melodious  ftrain  io£ 
.Join'd  the  glad  hymn,  and  crmrm'd  the  liftening  train  ; 
Afpark.i  <e  difplay'd, 

While  lig  ing  leffen'd  every  lh< 

Fair  as  the  lucid  ftar,  that  up  the  fky 
Leads  the  gay  morn,  and  bids  the  darknefs  fly,  1 1» 

JBefide  the  king  a  lovely  Vii; 
Nor  join'd  the  bow'd. 

A  fwcet  c: 
And  her!  .'  opprdlive  i:eh. 

ting  furvt  1 1  j 

And  thus  with  fri  e,  addrefs'd  the  miid. 

Say,  love; it i\  fair  one,  whence  the  me;.  m, 

That  damps  our  joys,  and  clouds  thy  rofy  bloom  1 
V/hy  doer  thy  foul  the  reverence  due  denv 
To  '  at  gild  *  che  orient  iky  ?  12* 

Far  othej  I  demands 

My  vocal  tratifports,  ai  it  hands; 

A  God,  who  azure  rou 

e  wi  le  t:.  md  ; 

Who  m  ire  the  fu  n  i?"i 

A:-d  breat.  i.-io'  ou; 


BOOK     fi«  $i 

But  canft  thou,  amctfnvinc'd,  yon  orb  behoU, 

O'er  earth,  o'er  heaven,  in  endlefs  triumph  roll'd*       I  3« 

What  boundlefs  joy  his  gladfome  courfe  attends  ! 

What  glory  brightens  !   and  what  good  defcends  I 

Round  the  blue  void  his  beams  unchanging  fhine, 

And  fpeakhis  nature,  and  his  name,  divine. 

Yet  ftill  my  curious  thoughts  the  tale-demand,  13^ 

And  afk  improvement  at  thy  lovely  hand. 

Say  then,  O  fair,  what  all-exalted'  Power 

Thy  wifhes  reverence,  and  thy  hands  adore. 

With  down-cait  eye,  and  cheek  of  crimfon  bright 
That  fvveetly  mingled  with  the  fpotlefs  white*  1 40 

Replisd  the  virtuous  maid.      To  bolder  tongues 
€)f  man's  Hjjld  fex,  the  arduous  ta/k  belongs. 
But  thy  foRrtares,  that  fav'd  my  life,  demand 
Toils  farfu^frlor  from  my  grateful  h.and. 
Thy  blifs,  thy  endlefs  blifs,  my  voice  mall  bribe  145 

To  pafs  the  bounds,  the  maiden's  laws  prefcribe. 

Far,  very  far  beyond  this  lower  iky, 
Beyond  the  fun,  beyond  the  flames  on  high, 
Dwells  in  pure  light,  in  heaven's  ferene  abode, 
The  Source  of  life,  the  Spring  of  endlefs  good  ;  150 

All  fcenes,  all  heights  above,  fublimely  reigns  ; 
All  wodds  created,  and  all  worlds  fuftains. 

Yon  orb,  whofe  brightness  wakes  thy  raptur'd  praife, 
Is  but  a  beam  of  his  unbounded  blaze. 
His  breath  illum'd,  his  hand  exalted  high,  15- 

And  roll'dhim  flaming  thro'  th'  expanded  iky. 

His  bounteous  influence,  thro'  al^  nature  driven, 
Warms  the  wide  earth,  ana  cheers  the  wider  heaven. 
All  fcenes,  all  beings  his  pure  fight  furveys, 
Where  morrt  begins,  and  where  pale  eve  decays  ;  1 60 

Where  hell's  dark  fhorcs  the  glooms  of  night  difplay  ; 
Or  heaven's  broad  palace  glows  in  lading  day  ; 
Thro'  worlds  of  endiefs  youth,  where  angels  (bine. 
And  unknown  nations*ove  in  light  divine. 
'  F 


?*,  B    o   o   k     n. 

]  [e  move?,  informs,  dirccls,  and  rules  the  whole  ;  165 

Their  caufe,  their  end,  their  guardian,  and  their  foul. 
Flo  wakes  the  beauties  of  the  vernal  morn  ; 
as  the  flames  of  fultry  fummcr  burn  ; 

He  fnowers  th'  autumnal  wealth  ;   and  his  dread  power 

Sounds  id  the  wintry  rtorm,  and  bids  the  wild  waves  rear. 

■    In  thefe  vail  regions  cojntlefs  beings  move,  1 }  1 

Live  in  his  i'miles,  and  wanton  in  his  love  : 

In  all,  his  po;vcr,  and  boundiefs  wifdom,  fhine, 

The  works,  the  glories  of  a  hand  divine. 

Thron-'d  in  high  heaven,  in  Harry  manfions  reign,       1  ~  | 

Oi  purcfc  intellect,  th'  angelic  train 

All  ienfe,  all  foul,  all  love,  eternal  power 

Their  thoughts  contemplate,  and  their  fongs  adore. 
Thro'  earth's  wide  realms  unnumber'd  tribes  we  find, 

Of  different  ranks,  for  different  ends  defign'd.  iS# 

On  every  leaf  the  infeel  millions  fwarm, 

Hum  round  the  flower,  or  in  the  fun-beam  warm  ; 

The  birds,  on  painted  pinions,  gayly  fly 

Thro'  the  wide  regions  ofthefapphire  fky  ; 

Beafts  climb  the  cliff,  or  walk  the  favage  wood  ;  iS$ 

And  fifhes  fport  around  the  foamy  flood. 

Thefe,  with  the  reptile  race,  to  time  a  prey, 
Of  duft  were  fafhion'd,  and  to  duft  decay. 

To  man  of  nobler  rank,  two  parts  were  given, 
This  form'd  of  earth,  and  that  infpir'd  by  heaven.        19* 
Such  as  the  texture,  fuch  th'  allotted  doom  ; 
His  body  moulders  in  the  narrow  tomb  : 
Uut  the  wing'd  fool,  when  earth  in  dull:  is  hurl'd, 
Shall  fpring,  immortal,  from  the  finking  world  ; 
Ordain'd,  if  crimes  its  earthly  courfe  diilain,  1  9£ 

To  bathe  in  fire,  and  wafte  with  endlcf*  pain  ; 
If  cleans'd  from  guilt,  wi  I  1  rife 

To  the  pure  tranfpcits  of  angelic  ; 

Bu:  mm,  unmindful  of  his  nob!. 
In  vain  ftekl  pleafure  from  fixrroonding  earth.  20a 


B    O    O    K      II.  (gT 

Far  different,  far,th'efcenes  by  Heaven  defign'd- 

To-fill  the  wifhes  of  the  active  mind. 

This  bounded  point  is  but  our  being's  morn  ; 

To-endlefs  life  th'  etherial  Soul  was  born. 

Upward  with  nimble  flight  her  thoughts  mould  foar,     205 

And,  wing'd  by  virtue,  brighter  worlds  explore  ; 

Earth's  groveling  joys  difdain  with  confcious  pride, 

Xike  angels  fafhion'd,  and  to  heaven  allied. 

.For  this  fair  train  our  nature  to  prepare, 
And  the  pure  fragrance  of  immortal  air,  2i# 

To  raife  the  downward  heart  from  earthly  toys, 
And  mould  our  wilhes  to  fublimer  joys, 
Thro'  earth's  wide  realms,  afflictions  frit  begaw, 
The  nobleftbleiTmgs  Heaven  bellows  on  man. 
Toil,  difappointment,  hunger,  thiril,  and  pain,  2I| 

A  long,  long,  difmal,  melancholy  train, 
Cleanfe  the  dim  eve,  difiblve  the  pewerful  lull, 
And  loofe  the  chains,  that  bind  our  hearts  to  dull. 
From  forrow's  fire,  like  filverwell  refin'd, 
Freed  from  vile. earth,  fhall  rife  th'  undroily  mind,       22* 
Each  hour,  with' beams  of  clearer  beauty  mine, 
And  ceafelefs  claim  an  image  more  divine. 
At  length,  when  ficknefs  brings  th'  expected  doom, 
Its  powers  fliall  rife  triumphant  o'er  the  tomb, 
Forward  to  nobler  fcenes  with  rapture  fpring,  225 

And  hail  the  meiTage  of  th'  undreaded  king  ; 
While  life's  long  flream  its  fartheft  more  mall  lave, 
And  feek  the  bofom  of  th'  eternal  wave. 
Then  fhall  we  fee  diviner  winds  arife* 
The  main  grow  calm,  and  fmiles  inveft  the  Cues :         23^ 
Then  mail  our  happy  hands  exalt  the  fail, 
Launch  on  the  deep,  and  call  th'  etherial  gale  ; 
With  jay,  our  fpirits  leave  the  fading  more, 
And  hear  the  leffening  ftorms  fit  difcance  roar. 
Inwrapp'd  in  beams  of  uncreated  light,  i$5 

All  heaven,  difslo#'d,  fhall  burft  upon  the  light ; 


36  B     O     O     K      II. 

Streams  of  immortal  blifs  in  vifion  r<jil, 
And  hofts  of  angels  hail  the  kindred  foul. 

With  rofy  frailes,  thus  fpoke  the  lovely  maid, 
While  o'er  the  plain  a  boundlefs  fiknce  fpread.  24© 

Like  the  tun'd  lyre,  the  mutic  of  her  tongue 
Pour'd  foft  perfuafion  "on  the  truths  fhefung  : 
Pleas'd,  her  fweet  grace,  and  fparkling  eye,  they  view, 
And  the  frank  mein,  that  Faliehood  never  knew. 

To  all,  Aradon  bent  a  yielding  ear  ;  245 

For  Heaven  infpir'd  his  honeft  heart  to  hear. 
Mid  favage  realms,  fair  Gibeon's  fons  inclin'd 
To  manners  gentler,  worfhip  more  refin'd: 
Each  focial  art  adorn'd  the  generous  door  ; 
The  ftranger  welcom'd,  and  reliev'd  the  poor  ;  r.50 

And  hence  they  liv'd.      From  nature's  bounteous  Lord, 
Even  virtue's  femblance  finds  a  fure  reward. 

A  calm  delight  exulting  in  his  eyes, 
With  gentlelt  voice,  the  monarch  thas  replies, 

O  brighter!:  of  thy  fex,  an  angel's  tongue  255 

Alone  can  bo  a  ft  the  fweetnefs  of  thy  fong. 
Led  by  thy  voice,  my  raptur'd  mind  would  know 
The  mighty  Power,  from  whom  all  bleiHngs  flow  ; 
Would  learn  what  holy  feers  his  vvrll  explain, 
What  prayers  delight  him,  and  what  offerings  gain  ;  z0» 
Safe  in  his  fmiles,  beyond  the  grave  refpire  ; 
Exult  o'er  death,  and  flee  from  endtefs  f.rc  ; 
To  rhofe  immortal  regions  fpeed  my  flight, 
And  prove  fome  humble  feat,  amid  the  fons  of  light. 

Bat  fay,  O  fair,  when  form'd  the  Power  divine       2C5 
The  lamps  that  round  yon  iky  forever  fhine  r 
Know' ft  thou  the  day  when  earth's  wide  realms  were  made, 
The  hills  exalted,  and  the  ocer.n  fpread  ? 
Whofe  hand  thine  infant  mind  to  rcafon  wrought, 
In  vi:  tue  nurs'd  thr-p,  and  in  wifdom  taught  ?  270 

'.'         ige  my  trembling  brow  lias  wliitcn'd  o'er, 
I  j  unknown  fcenes  thy  curious  thoughts  explore. 


BOOK      II. 


37 


Returned  the  lovely  maid,  Thy  glad  requeft 
Wakes  my  fond  hope,  and  warms  my  grateful  breaft — 
Know,  mighty  prince,  when  Elam's  deathful  fpear       275 
Pierc'd  the  fell  foe,  and  loos'd  my  foul  from  fear, 
From  I{ra*l' scamp,  thro'  unknown  paths,  I  ftray'd, 
My  lone  fteps  wandering  round  the  woodland  ihade. 
Twas  there,  the  facred  truths  the  prophet  fung, 
And  thus  fa-eet  mufic  tun'd  his  heavenly  tongue.  28© 

From  realm*  divine  high-rais'd  beyond  all  height, 
Th'  almighty  Parent  caft  his  piercing  fight ; 
"With  boundlefs  view,  he  faw  the  etherial  vaft 
A  clouded  gloom,  an  undelightfome  wafte  : 
-Around  the  extended  wild,  no  fun's  broad  ray  285 

Mark'd  the  clear  fplendor  of  immortal  day  ; 
No  varying  moon,  ordain'd  at  eve  to  rife, 
Led  the  full  pomp  of  conftellated  fides  ; 
No  day  in  circling  beauty  learn'd  to  roll  ; 
No  fair  fpring  fmil'd,  nor  froft  congeal'd  the  pole  ;     29* 
Subftamial  darknefs  fpace  unmeafur'd  fill'd, 
And  nature's  realms  lay  defolate  and  wild. 

Hefpoke  :  at  once,  o'er  earth's  far  diftant  bounds 
The  heavens  wide-arching  ftretch'd  their  fapphire  round* 
With  hoary  cliffs  the  far-feen  hills  afcend  ;  295 

Down  fink  the  vales,  and  wide  the  plains  extend  ; 
Headlong  from  iieep  to  fteep  the  billows  roar, 
Fill  the  broad  main,  and  tofs  again  ft  the  fhore. 

He  fpoke  ;  and  beauty  thro'  all  nature  ilow'd  ; 
With  fpringing  verdure  earth's  wide  regions  glow'd  ;;p# 
Forth  rum  the  flowery  tribes,  and  trees  on  high 
Shroud  their  tallfumtnits  in  the  ambient  fey. 

He  fpoke  ;  the  heavens  with  fudden  glory  fhone  ; 
In  godlike  pomp  burft  forth  the  goldea  fun  ; 
Far  thro'  inimenfity  his  kindling  ray  305 

Shot  life  and  joy,  and  pour'd  the  new-born  day  ; 
With  milder  luflre  rofe  the  charms  of  even, 
The  moon's  broad  beam,  aad  all  the  pride  of  heaves, 


gj  BOOK      If. 

He  fpoke ;  and  fifties  fitl'd  the  watry  rounds 
Swarm'd  in  the  ftreams,  and  fwam  the  Ocean's  bounds 
The  green  fea  fparkied  with  unnumber'd  dies,  31I 

And  varying  beauty  wav'd  upon  the  flues  ; 
Whales  through  the  foaming  billows  proudly  rode, 
And  unknown  mongers  gambol 'd  o'er  the  flood. 
From  the  deep  wave,  adorn'd  with  nobler  grace,        315 
5n  countlcfs  millions  fprars g  the  feather 'd  race  ; 
Thro'  the  far  clouds  the  eagle  cleft  his  way, 
And  foar'd  and  wanton'd  in  the  flames  of  day ; 
Full  on  the  morn  the  peacock  op'd  his  beams, 
.And  fwans  majeftic  row'd  th'  expanded  ftreams.  329 

i^e  fpoke^  and,  wondering,  from  difparted  plains 
In  throngs,  unnumber'd  rofe  the  beilial  trains : 
Their  fnowy  robes  the  hannlefs  flocks  rcveal'd  ; 
Gay  fteeds  exulting prane'd  the  vernal  field  ; 
The  lion  glar'd,  and  mid  the  gazing  throng  %2% 

Shook  his  rough  main,  and  grimly  ftalk'd  along. 

The  wide  earth  AniflYd,  from  his  weftern  throne, 
Jn  fplendid  beauty  look'd  the  gladfome  fi.i  ; 
Calm  were  the  fides,  the  fields  with  luilre  crown'd, 
•And  nature's  incenfe  fi'il'd  th'  ethcrial  roond.  33* 

.MnilirinM  in  facred  light,  the  Maker  flood, 
Complacent  frail'd,  and  own'd  the  work  was  good. 
Then  from  his  hand  in  iilent  glory  came 
A  nobler  form,  and  Man  his  deftin'd  name  ; 
Erect,  and  tall,  in  folemn  pomp  he  Hood,  53* 

And  living  virtue  in  his  vifage  glowM. 
Then  too  a  fairer  being  fliew'd  her  charms  ; 
VoungBeauty  wan  tori' d  in  her  fnowy  arms ; 
The  heavens  around  her  bade  their  graces  fiy, 
And  Love  fate  blooming  in  her  gentle  eve.  346 

O  pair  divine  !   fuperior  to  your  kind  ; 
To  virtue  fafliion'd,  and  for  blifs defigc 'd  ! 

lie,  born  to  rule,  with  calm,  uplifted  brow, 
Locvk'd  down  mj\:\x  on  the  world  below  ; 


B    O    O    K      IL  f$ 

To  heaven,  his  mannon,  turn'd  his  thought  fublime  ;    34; 

Orrov'dfar  onward  thro'  the  fcenes  of  time  ; 

O'er  nature's  kingdom  call  a  fearching  eye, 

And  dar'd  to  trace  the  fecrets  of  the  fky  ; 

•On.  fancy's  pinions  fcann'd  the  bright  abode, 

-And  claim'd  his  friend,  an  Angel,  or  a  God.'  35* 

Her  he  indu'd  with  nature  more  refm'd, 
A  lovelier  image,  and  a  fofter  mind. 
To  her  he  gave  to  kindle  fweet  denre, 
To  roufe  great  thoughts,  and  fan  th'  heroic  fire  : 
At  pity's  gentle  call  to  bend  his  ear  ;  355 

To  prompt  for  woe  the  unaffected  tear  ; 
In  fcenes  refin'd  his  foftening  foul  improve, 
And  tune  his  wifnes  with  the  hand  of  love. 
To  her  he  gave  with  fweetnefs  to  obey, 
Infpire  the  friend,  and  charm  the  lord  away  ;  36* 

Each  bleeding  grief  with  balmy  hand  tohsal, 
And  learn  his  rending  fmews  not  to  feel  ; 
Each  joy  t'  improve,  the  pious  wiih  to  raife, 
And  add  new  raptures  to  his  languid  praife. 

To  thia  iov'd  pair  a  blefs'd  retreat  was  given,  365 

A  feat  for  angels,  and  a  humbler  heaven  ; 
Fair  Eden  nam'd:  in  Avift  fucceffion,  there 
Glad  fcenes  of  rapture  led  the  vernal  year  ; 
Round  the  green  garden  living  beauty  play'd  ; 
Ib  gay  profulion  earth  her  treafures  fpread  ;  3-^ 

The  air  breath'd  fragrance  ;   itreams  harmonious  rung, 
And  love,  and  tranfport,  tun'd  th' aerial  fong. 

With  tranquil  beams  the  feventh  bright  morn  appeared 
And  thus,  from  firey  clouds,  a  voice  was  heard. 
This  day,  O  Man,  to  facred  tranfports  rife,  $ye 

And  pafs  die  hours  in  converfe  v/ith  the  fkies : 
To  prayer,  to  praife,  be  all  thy  wimes  given  ; 
Soar  from  the  world,  and  here  begin  thy  heaven  ! 
$0  mill  thy  fons  purfue  the  virtuous  road, 
And,  each  returning  fabbu.h,  wake  to  God.  38* 


ao  BOOK      If. 

The  fovereign  voice  the  reverent  pair  obey'd  ; 

A  folemn  beauty  earth  and  heaven  arra\ 'd  : 

With  joy  the  pinion'd  tribes,  in  every  grove, 

Hymn'd  the  blelt  influence  of  immortal  love  : 

Man  join'd  the  concert,  and  his  raptur'd  lays  3^3 

Charm'd  the  gay  heids,  when  angels  ceas'd  to  praife. 

Mid  Eden's  groves  the  tree  of  glory  flood, 
That  taught  the  unalter'd  bounds  of  ill,  and  good  : 
Its  fruit,  all  beauteous  to  the  ravith'd  eye, 
Denied  to-inan,  and  facred  to  the  {ky  :  39* 

Denied  alone  ;  a  boundlefs  ilore  was  given, 
Food  for  bright  angels,  tranfeript  fair  of  heaven. 
And  thus  the  law--- If  vain  defire  to  tafte 
Prompt  thee,  rebellious,  to  the  dire  repaft  ; 
Hear,  hear,  O  man  !  on  that  tremendous  day,  395 

Thy  life,  thy  blifs,  thy  virtue,  pafs  away  ; 
No  more  the-heirof  endlefs  joys  retin'4, 
But  guilty,  wretched,  to  the  duft  confign'd  ; 
Toil  here  thy  lot,  thine  end  the  dreary  tomb, 
And  hopelefs  anguiih  thine  eternal  doom.  40^ 

The  fovereign  voice  the  pair  obfequious  heard, 
Th' injunction  reverene'd,   and  the  danger  fearM  : 
'Till  urg'd  by  impious  luft,  by  hell  infnar'd, 
They  pluck'd  the  fruit ;  the  guilt,  and  fentence  fiiarM, 
For  one  poor  banquet,  one  unreal  joy,  405 

Rebel  I'd,  and  yielded  blifs  without  alloy  ; 
To  howling  deferts  were  from  angels  diiven J    ■ 
And  loft  the  fwect  fociety  of  heaven. 

Then  ills  on  ills  unnumber'd  role  forlorn  ; 
No  more  the  orient  beam'd  th'  angelic  morn  ;  41® 

Fragrance  and  Beauty  clns'd  their  blifsful  reign 
Nor  Spring  perennial  dane'd  along  the  plain. 
Cold  Night  her  fearful  clouds  around  them  fpread, 
And  gave  new  terrors  to  the  howling  f. 
Loft  in  the  bofom  of  ih' afce-r  m,  4  r 5 

The  iun'*  faint  beam  in  winter  ce::s'"d  to  warm  ; 


book;     it.  4* 

O'er  plains,  and  hills,  the  chilling  froft  congeal'd ; 
The  mow  tempeftuous  fadden'd  all  the  field  ; 
On  the  wide  wave  the  headlong  whirlwind  pour'd, 
And  all  the  thunders  of  the  ocean  roar'd.  42® 

Where  late  gay  bloom'dthe  barveft's  waving  pride, 
And  purpled  fruits  the  beading  branches  died, 
Impervious  thorns,  and  clinging  brambles  fpread. 
And  unblefs'd  famine  gloom'd  th'  autumnal  made: 
For  blood,  the  raging  wolf  began  to  arm  ;  425 

Fierce,  hungry  tygers  rung  the  dread  alarm  ; 
The  lion's  fovereign  voice,  with  thrilling  found, 
Clear'd  the  wide  grove,  and  fhook  the  hills  around. 

The  facred  ftamp  the  mind  forever  loft, 
The  ikies'  perfection  and  the  angel's  boaft  :  430 

Elfe  had  our  life  roll'd  on,  from  forrow  clear, 
A  femblance  bright  of  heaven's  eternal  ye3r. 
Now  ftain'd  with  guilt,  the  foul  to  hatred  turn'd  ; 
JVith  pride  was  lifted,  and  with  envy  burn'd. 
Fierce  bickerings  rofe  ;  with  conqueft  noife  was  crownM, 
And  Reafon's  (till,  fmall  voice  in  curfes  drown'd:         436 
In  vain  fweet  Friendfhip  charm'd  the  itubborn  ear  ; 
Shefung,  and  wondering  found  no  heart  to  hear. 

By  hands,  not  wifdom,  next  the  caufe  was  tried, 
And  blows  obtain'd  what  argument  denied.  44© 

Revenue  foon  taught  to  point  the  murdering  knife, 
And  fecret  ambufti  hedg'd  the  hated  life. 
The  villain's  gloomy  path  black  night  conceal'd, 
And  virtuous  blood  bedew'd  the  lonely  field. 
Then  roufing  banners  War  with  transport  rais'd  ;       445 
Forth  flahVd  the  fteel ;  the  far-feen  fignal  blaz'd  : 
O'er  the  fcar'd  hills  the  warning  clarion  rang, 
And  fwift  to  combat  ftartled  nations  fprang  ; 
In  floods  of  dreaming  gore  the  fields  were  drownM, 
And  Ikughter'd  thoufands  heap'd  th'  embattled  ground. 
The  regal  dome,  the  turret's  golden  gleam  45  1 

Grac'd  the  fad  triumphs  of  th'  imperious  flame; 
G 


4*  B    O    O    K    II. 

From  wall  to  wall  infulting  engines  frown'd, 

And  ail  the  pride  of  art  fell  crumbling  to  the  ground. 

To  earth's  wide  realms,  from  lcenes  above  the  iky,  .j.5  j 
Th'  Almighty  Ruler  turn'd  his  fearching  eye  : 
Deep  funk  in  boundlefs  guilt  the  regions  lay, 
And  vice  exulting  claim'd  a  fir.gle  iway. 
Her  countlefs  millions,  lur'd  by  i'ieafure's  charms, 
Bafk'd  in  her  fmiles,  and  fported  in  her  arms ;  46a 

The  long,  the  feaft,  infpir'd  the  jocund  hours, 
And  Lewdnei's  wanton'd  in  luxurious  bowers. 
In  vain  from  door  to  door  the  beggar  ftray'd  ; 
His  portion  hunger,  and  the  froit  his  bed  : 
In  vain  fad  Sicknefs  rais'd  her  feeble  cry  ;  465 

No  friendly  hand  appear'd,  nor  melting  eye: 
Virtue,  fair  pilgrim,  call  a  wifiiful  view, 
And  fpread  her  wings,  and  figh'd  a  laft  adieu. 

He  faw,  while  terror  veii'J  his  awful  face, 
And  bade  fierce  ruin  wrap  the  guiiry  race,  •    47a 

Djrneby  the  vengeance  of  his  lifted  arm, 
Far  roll'd  the  black  immenfity  of  ilorm  ; 
From  eafi:  to  weft  were  pour'd  the  glooms  on  High, 
And  cloudy  curtains  hung  th'  urmeaiur'd  foy. 
Shook  by  the  voice  that  rends  tV  immortal  plain,        475 
£n  one  broad  delude  funk  th'  etberial  main  ; 
Huge  Hoods,  imprifoh'd  in  the  vaulted  ground, 
Wah  wild  commoiion  burft  tie  crumbling  bound  ; 
O'ei  .Mrth^brodd  clime's  the  furging  billows  Jr:\en 
Climb 'd  the  tall  mounts  .p.:       483 

of  man,  tie  pomp-emboibm'd  tower, 
Towns  wrappJd  1.1  g  Id,  and  1 .  -  Ims  o;  d  owtr, 

All  plung'd  at  once  ben 
And  • 

From  realms,  •  ;;'l0rv  ^'tn< 

His  voice  awak'd  t 

ft  owe  the  balrriy  wind  obedient  blew', 
Aiid  fprii  1  doth'ii  the  world  anew  j 


BOCK      31. 

Xv.  j-ofy  youth  her  climes  emergent  fmil'd, 

And  Bowery  vifitants  rejoic'fi  the  wild.  49© 

How,  doom'd  to  paft  beyond  the  Hquid  grave,      - 
The  ark's  rich  treafure  triumph'd  o'er  the  wave  ; 
How  the  bleiVd  favorite,  rifing  from  the  main, 
Rul'd  orient  lands  and  peopled  earth  again, 
Thou  know'ft.     The  wonderous  tale,  thro'  every  clime, 
Tradition  waft?  along  the  ilream  of  time.  496 

With  circling  fplendor,  and.2rhe1iald.ie, 
The  covenant  bow  fpread  fadden  round  the  Hey, 
From  thofegay  heavens,  that  arch'd  with  pomp  divine, 
Fair  o'er  the  angelic  world  forever  ihine,  509 

To  earth  remov'd,  and  fix'd  by  God's  decree., 
An  endlefs  barrier  'gainft  th'  ambitious  fea. 

Safe  in  the  facred  fign,  ungrateful  man 
I>Tew  fcenes  of  guilt  with  eager  zeal  began. 
Again  black  Vice  o'er  nature  ftretch'd  herfway,  505 

And  magic  Pleafure  charm'd  the  foot  aftray. 
No  facred  anthems  climVd  the  bright  abode; 
NorReafon  blum'd  to  hail  a  golden  god  : 
With  rage,  and  conflict,  earth  was  cover'd  o'-er  • 
Towns  funk  in  flames,  and  Eelds  were  drench'd  in  gore. 
With  impious  jefts  they  mock'd  a  future  doom  ;  5  1  j 

Sung  o'er  the  fliroud,  and  dane'd  into  the  tomb. 
From  land  to  land  the  clouds  of  death  unfurl'd, 
And  one  wide  lethargv  benumb'd  th'  oblivious  world. 

Then  too,  proud  Afiuir,  queen  of  realms,  began        57^ 
To  forge  her  chains,  and  bind  inglorious  man. 
Hence,  tyrants  fprang,  and  dar'dwith  impious  claim, 
Demand  the  honours  of  the  facred  Name  ; 
Hence  ftern  Opprefllon  rais'd  his  iron  rod, 
Hence  crimfon  Slaughter  wrapp'd  the  world  in  blood  : 
Thro'  every  clime  the  night  of  fiavery  fpjead,  52J 

And  Heaven  repenting  griev'd  that  man  was  made. 

From  this  black  mafs,  this  mingled  hoftof  foes 
One  fainted  friend  th'  Almighty  Ruier  chofe  ; 


44  B    O    O    K      JI. 

For  him,  blefs'd  champion  of  his  yielding  caufe  !       525 

He  chang'd  the  liable  courfe  of  nature's  laws ; 

(An  hundred  fummers  faw  the  circling  morn, 

Ere  his  firfthope,  the  promised  heir  was  born) 

To  him,  to  his  he  gave  Canaan's  more, 

'Till  the  bright  evening  gild  the  well  no  more.  530 

To  Idol  guilt  the  world  befide  was  given, 

Their  name,  their  memory  blotted  out  of  heaven. 

When  the  dire  famine  o'er  all  nations  fpread, 
His  hand  the  favorite  race  to  Egypt  led. 
As  fome  fair  tree,  where  fruitful  ilreams  are  roll'd,     535 
Lifts  fpiry  moots,  and  bids  its  leaves  unfold  ; 
O'er  the  green  bank  ambitious  branches  rife, 
Enjoy  the  winds,  and  gain  upon  the  Ikies ; 
While  opening  flowers  around  it  gayly  fpring, 
And  birds  with  tranfport  clap  the  painted  wing  :  54* 

So  each  fond  fun,  and  each  fuccellive  made 
Beheld  with  fmiles  the  infant  nation  fpread; 
From  field  to  field  the  rinng  boughs  expand, 
Share  the  glad  fmiles  of  heaven,  and  fill  the  jealous  land. 

Their  fudden  growth  the  envious  tyrant  view'd,      545 
And  impious  hands  in  infant  gore  imbru'd, 
With  bold  oppreflion  bath'd  the  ftreaming  eye, 
Rack'd  the  fad  foul,  and  rous'd  the  fuppliant  cry. 

Their  bleeding  wrongs  the  omnilcient  Mind  furvcy'd, 
And  bade  fierce  Vengeance  bare  her  flaming  blade.    55* 
No  more  the  limpid  wave  ferenely  flovv'd  ; 
But  thro' fad  fhores  the  river  roll'd  in  blood  ; 
Unnumber'd  reptiles  climb'd  the  ilatcly  dome, 
Croak'd  o'er  the  feaft,  and  crawl'd  the  pillar'droom  ; 
Infecls  in  countlefs  millions  earth  o'erfurcad  ;  55^ 

The  fickening  murrain  gloom'd  the  paitur'd  fhade  ; 
From  darken'd  Ikies  the  florm's  red  bolts  were  huri'J, 
And  hail,  and  lightening  fwept  the  wafted  world  ; 
Like  cloudy  cui  tains,  locuils  hnr>g  the  C 
Paledeath,  and  famine  mark'd  their  baieful  way  :       560 


BOOK      II.  4$ 

Three  days  blank  midnight  wrapp'd  the  realm  in  gloom, 
And  all  her  firft-BoVh  funk  in  one  broad  tomb. 

Then,  high  in  air  his  lucid  banner  fpread, 
To  the  bright  fign  collected  Ifrael  Med, 
With  tranfport  trac'd  the  finger  of  the  fky,  565 

Wing'd  their  glad  path,  and  haiPd  redemption  nigh. 
In  vain  its  countlefsills  the  wafte  difclos'd  ; 
In  vain  thefea  their  facred  path  oopos'd  ; 
Back  rolPd  th'  inftincTIve  main  ;  and  round  their  fide 
In  cryftal  fplendor  ftood  the  confcious  tide.  570 

In  the  bright  front,  a  cloud  his  dark  abode, 
Thron'don  the  rufhing  winds,  an  angel  rode, 
The  fpreading  volumes  mark'd  their  path  by  day, 
And  guiding  flames  illum'd  their  nightly  way. 
Behind,  the  tyrant,  urg'd  by  Heaven's  decree,  575 

Drove  his  pale  holt,  and  trembled  thro'  the  fea. 
On  the  tall  fliore  fublime  the  Prophet  ftood, 
And  fbetch'd  his  hand  above  the  eager  flood  ; 
Wide-circling  all,  far  clos'd  thebillow'd  womb, 
And  Egypt's  glories  found  a  watery  tomb.  589 

Thro'  fpacious  climes  of  fierce  and  fcorching  day, 
The  cloud  expanded  led  their  lonely  way, 
'Till,  white  with  cliffs,  and  crown'd  with  many  a  (hade, 
In  cloudy  pride  fam'd  Sinai  rear'd  its  head. 
On  this  lone  mount,  the  all-difcerning  Ivlind  585 

To  teach  his  name,  t'  unfold  his  law,  defign'd  ; 
On  earth  to  witnefs  truth  and  power  divine, 
And.  bid  o'er  Jacob's  fons  his  folendors  ihine  : 
Beneath  its  haughty  brow  the  thoufands  lay, 
And  hop'd  the  wonders  of  th*  expected  day.  59® 

Fair  rofe  the  dawn  :  from  heaven's  fublime  abode, 
Th'  almighty  Power  in  boundlefs  glory  rode  ; 
Long  dufky  folds  a  cloud  around  him  fpread, 
His  throne  furrounding  wi:h  impervious  fliade. 
Its  flame- bright  fkirts  with  light  exceflive  (hone,  C95 

A  noon-tide  morn,  that  dimm'd  the  rifing  fun. 


4  6  5     O     O     K       n. 

Forfh  from  its  womb  unufual  lightnings  fly, 

And  thunders,  hurl'd  on  thunders  rock  the  fcy  : 

To  Sinai's  top  the  wonderous  fcene  defcends ; 

Down  plunge  hiscliffi  ;  his  tottering  fummit  rends  ;  6oo> 

O'er  all  the  mountain  burn  devouring  fires, 

Wreith'd  in  dread  fmoke,  and  crown'd  with  lofty  fpires. 

J  .cud  as  hoarfe  whirlwinds  earth  and  heaven  deform, 

Loud  as  the  thoufand  thunders  of  the  ftorm, 

With  clear,  dread  voice,  in  pomp  tremendous,  roll     605 

The  trump's  long-founding  terrors  thro*  the  pole. 

The  Seer  majeftic  climbs  the  towering  height, 

And,  bofom'd  deep  in  glo»y,  leaves  the  fight. 

There,  while  the  world  was  hufh'd  in  filent  awe, 
The  Sovereign  Mind  difclos'dth'  eternal  Law  ;  610 

.And  thus  the  dread  commands.  O  Ifraei,  l:now, 
1  am  the  Lor  d  ,  who  fiatch'd  thy  fons  from  woe, 
From  Egypt's  bondage  trac'd  thy  various  ways; 
Nor  (hall  baf?  Idols  (hare  myficred  praife. 
Let  no  vain  words  my  fearful  Name  prophane  ;  Cl  $ 

Nor  toil,  nor  fports  my  holy  fabbaths  ftain. 
Thy  parent's  voice  with  reverent  mind  obey  : 
Thy  hand  from  dire  revenge,  and  murther  Hay : 
Let  nor  3  thought  thy  neighbour's  couch  afcend  ; 
.And  not  a  wifti  to  others  wealth  extend  :  620 

Let  truth  thy  converfe,  truth  thy  oaths  confine  : 
And  every  pafiion  to  thy  lot  refign. 

Unnumber'd  ftatutes  then  his  voice  ordainM, 
The  poor  protected,  and  the  rich  reftrain*d; 
And  taught,  what  manners  profperous  rule  a  flare,         625 
Their  foes  to  vanquifh,  and  their  peace  fecure. 

Then  thro'  long,  weary  climes  their  courle  was  turn'd, 
Still  mov'd  the  cloud,  and  Mill  the  glory  burn'd. 
With  ccafelefs  care  he  fil'd  their  hearts  with  good  ; 
The  fkies  diflolving  fhowcr'd  immortal  fVxjd  : 
With  wondering  joy  they  faw  the  itreamy  rail 
Vour  from  the  rock,  and  fpread  alon^  the  plain; 


BOOK      11.  47 

And  clouds  of  quails,  from  every  region  driven, 
Blacken'd  the  fields,  and  fiU'd  the  bounds  of  heaven. 
*  .'Twas  then,  near  Edom's  realms  the  thoufands  lay,  6j  J 
i*nd  her  proud  prince  denied  th'  expected  way. 
Whate'er  their  itate,  whate:er  their  God  concern'd, 
From  their  great  Seer  my  curious  parent  learn'd  j 
Charmed  with  thefcene,  he  left  his  native  foil, 
Shar'd  a!l  their  wants,  and  barter'd  eafe  for  toil.  640 

Thro*  long,  lone  paths  we  bent  our  circling  courfe, 
Untir'd  by  winter's  rage,  orfummer's  force  ; 
Bright  angels  led  the  van  ;  and  round  the  road 
Dread  fcenes  of  terror  mark'd  the  prefent  God. 

Even  now  I  fee  fierce  Sihon's  hoftile  train,  64^ 

Sheach'din  dire  arms,  and  frowning  o'er  the  plain. 
Jn  childhood  then,  around  my  iire  I  clung, 
Danc'd  in  his  arms,  and  in  his  boibm  hung/ 
With  nimble  Heps  the  facred  warriors  fped, 
Blew  the  (brill  trump,  and  fill'd  the  field  with  dead.  6^a 
Like  drifts  of  rufhing  duft,  that  fweep  the  ikies, 
On  fear's  light  pinions  fwift  the  remnant  Hies  ; 
From  town  to  town  we  wing  our  rapid  way, 
And  the  wide  region  finks  an  eafy  prey. 

Then  giant  Og  his  heroes  drove  to  arms,  65  £ 

Whirl'd  his  proud  car,  and  thunder'd  hoarle  alarms  : 
Jn  ditlant  fields  I  faw  the  ftorm  afcend, 
Its  (hades  all  darken,  and  its  clouds  extend  ; 
I)own  the  grim  hilis  I  heard  the  volumes  roll, 
And  burfting  terrors  rend  the  ihuddering  pole.  660 

As  i'nows,  flight  fabric,  in  warm  funs  decay, 
The  impious  kruadrons  fudden  melt  away. 

Now  o'er  the  Seer  had  fix-fcore  fu-rmers  run, 
And  hoary  locks  around  his  temples  mo^e. 
Wheq  founds  melodious,  opening  from  the  &y,  06 5 

To  the  fad  train  declar*d  his  end  was  ni£h. 
*  See  Book  IV,  Line  239. 


ifl  B    O    O    K      IL 

His  mini  infpirU  with  more  than  mortal  fight. 

Saw  future  fcenes  and  cr.cs  ruih  to  light  ; 

And  thus  his  voice.     On  IfraeFs  choien  train, 

Like  vernal  mowers  let  encJleG  blefiings  rain  :  6y% 

Each  riling  age,  afcend  thy  glory  higher, 

With  time  roll  on,  and  with  the  fkies  expire  ! 

But  oh,  mv  Tons,  this  voice  attentive  hear  ; 

Let  thefe  laft  drains  command  the  iiflening  ear! 

To  unborn  years  I  ftretch  my  raptur'd  eyes  ;  675 

I  fee  the  promis'd  feed  in  glory  rife  ! 
The  etherial  ftar  triumphant  mounts  on  high, 
And  fairer  beams  adorn  the  unmeafur'd  flcy  : 
All  heaven  impatient  waits  the  facred  morn  ; 
Jefus  defcends  ;  the  filial  God  is  born:  C?q 

Kofts  of  bright  angels  round  the  favorite  mine, 
And  earth  is  ravifn'd  with  their  hymns  divine. 
'Tis  he,  wfrofe  oiFering  guilt  (hall  warn  away, 
And  raife  Mankind  to  climes  of  ceafelefs  day; 
The  blifs  of  truth,  and  virtue,  mail  infpire,  6*85 

And  warm  the  bofom  with  feraphic  fire. 
Hafte,  halte,  ye  days  of  heaven  !  with  rapid  wing, 
To  this  fad  world  the  hope  of  nations  bring  ! 
Defccnd,  O  Prince  of  peac    !   thy  love  bellow  ; 
Cieanfe  the  dark  foul  from  feeds  of  eiuileia  woe  ;  Go* 

With  all  earth's  myriads  Jacob's  fons  unite, 
And  bid  immortal  glory  fpring  ro  light. 
No  more  the  gentile  realms  in  dull  mail  mourn  ; 
Nor  evening  altars  to  th'  infernals  burn  ; 
But  wak'J,  reviv'd,  by  thy  celeltia!   name,  695 

One  cloud  of  incenfc,  one  unbounded  flame, 
To  heaven  afcend  :   tlie  dm  (hall  brieh'cr  rife. 
And  peace,  and  lirht,  and  ^lory  gild  the  flues. 

Thus  the  ^rea*  Seer  ;  and  vvirm'd  with  heavenly  grace, 
Befou^ht  all  b  1  Jiia  darling  race  ; 

Then  up  Fa  Ide  ferenely  drew, 

Where  all   Canaan  met  hia  rapturous  view  ; 


£     O    O    K      II.  43 

f  hence  his  glad  foul  explor'd  her  native  day, 

And  left,  for  blifs,  the  tenemental  clay  : 

His  foul,  fcarce  lower  than  the  angels  made,  70$ 

With  glory  mitred,  and  with  truth  array'd. 

As  the  bold  eagle,  borne  from  humble  vales, 

Lifts  his  ftrong  wings,  and  up  th*  expanfion  fails  ; 

O'er  groves,  o'er  hills,  o'er  mountains,  wins  his  way, 

And  climbs  exulting  in  the  noon-tide  ray  ;  710 

Now  far  beneath  him  fees  each  birdling  fly  ; 

Now  clouds  light-floating  fkim  the  lower  fky  ; 

In  profpe^t  wide,  with  piercing  ken,  defcries 

Far,  leflening  towns,  and  fpacious  empires  rife  ; 

Here  rivers  wind,  the  lakes  their  borders  fpread  ;  715 

And  there  the  blue-ieen  ocean  fmooths  his  bed; 

In  pride  fabiimc,  henoids  his  upward  way, 

And  balks,  and  triumphs,  in  the  flame  of  day. 

So,  borne  wich  angel-dight,his  mighty  mind, 

Afcending,  left  the  common  wing  behind  ;  72O 

Fuli  on  the  fun's  great  Source  ibperior  drew, 

'Till  truth's  wide  regions  ftretch'd  in  glorious  view  ; 

There  fair  Creation  fpread  her  boundlefs  plan  ; 

There  op'd,  myflerious,  all  the  world  of  man  : 

With  every  fplendor  bright  Redemption  lhone  ;  725 

And,  oneirflmenfe  of  beauty,  God  the  Son. 

Still  up  the  heavens  he  wing'd  his  fohir  Right, 

And  ibar'd,  and  mingled  with  unborrowed  light, 

Far  in  a  wild  vale's  folitary  gloom, 
Jehovah  form'd  his  favourite's  lonely  tomb  ;  730 

For  life  diftinguinYd,  there  his  limbs  refine, 
'Till  morn's  lait  beams  in  purple  glory  ihine  ; 
Then,  rob'd  in  beauty,  fhall  the  Prophet  rife, 
And  fail,  the  peer  of  angels,  thro'  the  fkie^. 

But,  ere  his  fpirit  fought  celeftial  day,  73  * 

To  Jofhua's  hand  he  gave  the  deflin'd  fway, 
A  Cnief  divine  !  with  every,  virtue  crown'd, 
In  combat  glorious,  and  in  peace  renowu'd, 

H 


ro  BOOK      IT. 

To  him  the  Almighty  voice— Thy  chofcn  hand 

juide  my  Tons,  and  ru'e  the  promis'd  land.         740 
t  land,  where  peace,  and  every  pleafure  reigns, 
O'er-hcaven  t:  fair,  extended  plains; 

"Where  countlels  natio::  y  dome, 

e  purpling  vine  e.  vales  to  bloom  ; 

That  la*id  is  thine.      Where'er  thy  foot  (hail  tread,'    74^ 
From  the  parch'd climes  whe.  's  thoufands  fpread, 

To  realms,  where  Hazor,  arm'd  with  potent  (way, 
Bids  k  bow,  and  conquer'd  chiefs  obey  : 

Or  where  Euphrates  winds  his  gentle  flight ; 
Or  the  cean  rolls  in  evening  light ;  7^3 

all  is  thine.     Who  dare  thy  courje  withfiand, 
Shall  feel  the  fury  oith'  Eternal  hand. 

crimes  the  torpid  nations  lie, 
And  claim  fierce  vengeance  from  an  iniur'd  fky. 
Rife,  rife  to  awns  !  o'er  75$ 

My, guardian  h  ;Tdroad. 

Thus  fpoke  f  aod  >•  1  le  th'  <  theriai  ftrain 

Sreaci'd  a  foft  roufic  o'er  the  wondering  train, 
h  anxious  look  th-  impatient  monarch  cried--- 
.  of  maid.-,  I  760 

V  \r  round  the  neighbouring  realms  by  fame  is  rung 

jng. 
Oft  have  f  heard,  rod, 

v  God  ; 
ttrfe  ooros'd, 
•i,  and  rhein  i  dos'd. 

■ 
•  my  mind 

•   Mne  ; 

77® 


B     O     6    K    U.  gi 

Thefe  beauteous  infants,  fcarce  to  reafon  born,  775 

Sweeter  than  flowers  perfume  the  \-erna]  morn, 

To  war's  uhpityihg  fury  yield  their  breath, 

And  helpiefs  clof^  their  little  eyes  in  death  ? 

O  thou  great  God,  vvhofe  fway  o'er  Heaven  prefixes, 

Whofe.fearchingeye  the  world's  vaft  erripire  guides  :  ;S» 

Stay,  ftay  thine  hand  ;  this  guilty  nation  fj    re  ; 

Let  t  .  .  babes  thy  boundlejfs  pity  (&are  I 

Unform'd  our  infant  prayer— but  cries  fincere 

And  honeft  hearts  will  find  a  bounteous 

He  fpoke  ;  around,  the  melting  voice  of  woe  7S5 

Breath'd  fad  complaints,  and  tears  began  to  flow  ; 
When  thus  the  Prince  again— O  lovelie*  maid  ! 
e,  where  (hall  Gibeon  find  the  needed  aid  ? 
Can  no  kind  hand  the  friendly  refuge  give  ? 

No  pitying  faviour  bid  my  children  liv'e  ?  790 

Say,  Icvelieit  fair,  carft  thou  no  •  id  ? 

Our  teacher  thou— be  thou  our  guardi, 

Perchance  thy  bounteous  Jtiler,  forrn'd  to  hlcfs, 
-O'er  fuppliant  realms  may  lift  the  branch  of  peace. 

The  maid  returned— perhsps  a  virgin's  mind,  703 

Though  wifdom  fail,  the  wifh'd  retreat  may  find. 

To  IfraePs  camp  two  trufty  heroes  (end  ; 

Let  me,  reilor'd,  their  peace;   :  »nd. 

The  maid,  thou  feelt  by  blell  ad 

Their  mighty  Leader's  fend,  parental  cares.  2oo 

Pleas'd  with  the  oJeri..  /s  hand  m&y  give 

The  palm  of  peace,  and  bid  thy  nation  live. 

Charm'd  with  the  thought,  joy  fpirkling  in  his  eyes, 

With  voice  exulting, 

O  fair  divine  !   thy  mind,  with  wifdom  bri  £05 

Even  age  out-(oars,  :  .  an  angel's  fli       . 

Let  peace  thy  Life  fiirroand.  -  ine 

Soon  to  prepare,  and  en  \       i\  :.-n. 

Thy  lonely  voice  muft  find  a  gen  sroiis  ear  ; 

Soiweet  a  ftrain  even  oaks  weald  bow  to  hear.  Sio 


52  BOOK     n. 

The  Monarch  fpoke  ;  and  o'er  the  circling  throng 
Bright  fmiles  broke  foi  th,  and  pleas'd  applaufes  rung  ; 
A  beauteous  femblance  of  the  f.elds  around, 
Starr'd  with  young  flowers,  and  with  gay  verdure  crown'd, 
Where  airy  Tongs,  foft  proof  of  raptur'd  love,  815 

Wav'd  on  the  gale,  and  echo'd  thro'  the  grove  ; 
While  the  clear  fun,  rejoicing  (till  to  rife, 
In  pomp  roll'd  round  immeafurable  ikies. 


THE 


CON  QJJ  EST     of     CANAAN; 


BOOK        III, 


ARGUMENT. 

CharaSIers  of  Hezron,  Irad,  and  Selima.     Morning.    Irad 

and  Selima  walk  out  on  the  plain,  northward  of  the  camp, 
and  bold  a   converfation  on  the  juftice  of  the    War. 
they  are  returning  to  the  camp,  they  overhear  two  Ifrael- 
ites  cenverfng  on  a  defgn  of  returning  into  Egypt.    Irad 
communicates  the  difcovery  to  fcjhua.      The  alarm   is  gi- 
n/en, and  an  army  percieved,   coming  from  Ai  to   attack 
the  camp.      Jojkua  goes  out  to  the  place   of  rendezvous, 
marjhals  a  body  of  troops ,  'and  fends  them,  under  lie 
mand  of  Zlmri,   to  meet  the  army  of  Ai.      In  the  mean* 
time  the  camp  is  in  a  general  uproar,  and  a  large   body  of 
the  Ij'raelites  affembled,   weft ward  of  the  camp,  for 
purpofe  of  returning  into  Egypt,     After  the  ccr.j .. 
a  degree  allayed,  Tadmor  harangues  the  injurgems,  - 
a  hft  cf  grievances,  and  ftimulates  them  tc 
Caleb  who,  with  liexron,  had  ban  fen!  by  Jojbua,   i 
Irad 's  information,  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  camp,  re- 
plies to  him.      Ardan  an/wers  him,  with  ;  .  and 
JrJezron  him,  with  f 'verity .  Infur gents  march.  As  they  are 
quitting  the  plain,  Jijkua  comes  out,  with  a  hoc 
to  attack  them.      7he  chieftains jet  their  fires  in  rrray. 
fefhua  orders  the?n  to  dijperje.      Ardan  a. •fronts  him,  ard 
is  killed.      The  infur gents   difperfe,   and  the  chiefs  return 
to  the  camp.      Jr ad  goes  cut  to  view  the  battle 
engage  with  violence,  and  equal  fuccefs  ;   until  the  c 
tf  Ai,  influenced  by  fuperftttious fears,  excited  ! 
pearance  of  a  thunder  form,  order  a  retreat.      Zimri  a  If  a 
retires.*     Scene  of  tbi                   'f  an  evening  aftii 
&orm  concludes  t'ht  book* 


The    CONQUEST    of     CANAAN. 

* 

book    in. 


OF  JudaVs  thoufands  Hebron  held  the  fway  ; 
J  love,  andreve  i  'e  them  all  obey. 

The  chief,  of  simple  manners,  knew  no  art ; 
Trurh  was  his  language  ;  honefty  his  hearc  : 
To  b  kind  his  life's. unvaried  end;  5 

Hisgueft  :  :er,  and  the  poor  his  friend. 

So  fair  and  ilubborn  virtue  {hone, 

Heaven  crovvn'd  his  wifhes  with  a  lovely  Con, 
To  mould  young  Irad  was  his  darling  care  ; 
To  form  for  peace.,  to  animate  for  war  ;  x# 

His  limbs  t'  irtnerve  ;  his  vices  to  controul, 
And  lead  to  wifdoin's  fount  his  thirfty  foul. 

In  earlieft  years,  the  favourite  Youthbegaa 
To  fhew  tch  rarely  grace  the  man. 

To  raihnefs  brave,  his  bofom  burn'd  for  fame  ;  i£ 

Yet  knew  a  mild     ,    .'       nobler  name  : 
Love's  gem'e  fire  his  palftons  could  controul, 
And  pure  Religion  warnt'd  hij  manly  foul. 
Not  that,  which  broods  upon  the  furly  brow, 
Orwi  ,  demure,  and  flow;  n« 

At  truth,  and  virtue,  points  the  fatal  wound, 
Swells  0:1  the  tongue,  and  vanishes  in  found  : 
lut  that,  vvhoie  infiuence  fires  uv  angelic  band ; 
Smooths  the  rough  boioia  i  opes  the  narrow  hand  ; 


BOOK      tlL  5& 

Serenely  brightens  in  the  cheerful  face  ;  2  j 

Cads  round  each  act  unutterable  grace  ; 
With  rifing  morning,  bow3  the  fecret  knee, 
And  wafts,  great  God  !  the  humble  foul  to  thee. 

His  raptur'd  father  wifli'd  no  fecOnd  fon  ; 
But  found  both  parents'  charms  combin'd  in  one  ;  $C 

His  own  ilrong  fenfe,  and  daring  thought,  rehVd 
By  the  foft  graces  of  a  mother's  mind. 
His  lively  duty  cheerd  the  waning  year  ; 
With  hand  all  gentle  wip'd  the  aged  tear  ; 
Explor'd  each  wilh,  prevented  each  requeft,  33 

And  thought  it  heaven  to  make  a  parent  blelt. 
Nature's  politenefs,  unaffected  eafe, 
Mov'din  his  limbs,  and  fram'd  his  foul  to  pleafe  ; 
To  worth  complacent  gave  the  jufi  reward, 
And  notie'd  humble  life,  with  kind  regard.  49 

Nature  can  form  the  foal,  or  rough,  or  fine  $ 
Bat  all  her  clouded  beauties  faintly  ihine : 
Religion  bids  a  new  creation  rife, 
Fragrant  as  fpring,  and  fair  as  fpanglcd  f*ies. 
Thus,  on  the  canvas,  Weft,  with  raptur'd  view,  4: 

Sees  new-born  worlds  his  magic  hand  purfuc  ; 
Th'  impafficn'd  forms  diflblve  in  foft  defire, 
Or  glow,  and  tremble,  with  feraphic  fire  ; 
They  breathe, they  fpeak,  they  move,  the  field  around, 
And  the  ear  liitens  forth'  expected  found  ;  <jo 

But  thefe  muft  fade  :  while  Virtue's  ftrokes  (hall  live, 
Tranlcend  earth's  fey-built  tomb,   and  with  the  heavens 

Beyond  his  peers,  by  nature,  Irad  ihene  ;  [revive. 

By  virtue,  ripen'd  to  the  duteous  fon  ; 
By  virtue,  aim'd  at  life's  fublimeit  end,  55 

Rofe  to  the  faint,  and  foften'd  to  the  friend  : 
Pleas'd  his  fond  nation  f<:w  his  glories  rife, 
And  anew  joihua  charm'd  their  raptur'd  ty 

The  virgins  view'd,  how  could  they  not  approve  f 
deem  'a  the  filtat  harbinger  of  love.  60 


BOOK   nr.  57 

The  kind  eye,  gliftenir-g  wirh  a  frequent  tear, 

The  cotifeious  biuili,  that  Taw  difcovery  near, 

Th'  unbidden  figh,  that  AveJl'd  the  beating  bread, 

And  the  fix'd  gaze,  that  fcarce  could  be  reprefs'd, 

The  foft  emotions  to  his  eye  reveai'd,  65 

And  new,  ftra.Tge  tremors  through  his  bofom  thrill'd. 

But  far  o'er  all  Selima's  charms  prevail'd, 
When  his  pieas'd  heart  her  piercing  eyes  aflail'd. 
His  youngelt  birth,  blefs'd  Caleb  own'd  the  fair, 
His  life's  chief  folace,  and  his  favorite  care.  70 

Not  nature's  hand  her  beauty  could  improve  ; 
Tier  voice  was  melody  ;   her  mind  was  love  ; 
Herftature  tall  ;  her  air  intrancing  eafe  ; 
Her  fkin  the  liily,  opening  to  the  breeze  ; 
Her  cheek  was  health's  inimitable  die,  J$ 

And  the  bright  foul  fate  fparkling  in  her  eye, 

No  vile  cofmetic  ftain'd  her  lovely  face  ; 
No  affectation  murder'd  real  grace  : 
Her  robes  all  neatnefs.  told  the  world  how  fiue, 
How  pure,  th'  angelic  habitant  within.  So 

Svveetnefs  etherial  majefty  controul'd, 
And  form'd  an  Irad  of  a  fofter  mould. 
Such  was  her  foul,  as  when,  of  darknefs  born, 
O'er  young  creation  rofe  beginning  morn, 
Fair,  in  her  front,  a  blufhing  Virtue  flood,  gcj 

Juft  fprung  to  life,  and  ey'd  the  forming  God  ; 
From  grace  to  grace  with  glowing  wifdom  grew, 
And  fmil'd,  and  triumph'd,  in  the  rapcurous  view. 

Now  twice  nine  yrars  had  o'er  the  fair-cne  rcll'd, 
Ji'um'd  her  eyes,  and  bade  her  charms  unfold  ;  90 

When  her  quick  fancy,  felf-infpir'd  to  rove, 
Attun'd  her  feelings  to  romantic  love. 
Oft  on  the  youth  fhe  iix'd  a  fecret  ^aze, 
And  oft,  with  tranfport,  liflen'd  to  his  praife. 
The  charms  of  face,  the  beauty  of  defert,  9^ 

Stole  foft,  and  alent,  through  her  yielding  heart. 


p  book     ur. 

Efleem,  which  hermits  fcarce  could  difapprove, 
Bloom'd  in  his  (miles,  and  cpen'd  into  love. 

Nor  fhcne  her  glances  on  his  breaft  in  vain  ; 
The  gaze,  that  gave,  return'd  the  pleafmg  pain.  10 01 

Ju-dgment,  in  both,  the  fpotlefs  flame  improv'J  ; 
They  lik'd  from  fancy,  but  from  reafon  lov'd. 

Oft  would  each  fire  his  tender  witn  declare, 
To  fee  one  hand  unite  the  lovely  pair. 
Oft  fjgh'd  the  youth  t'  unfold  his  anxious  mind  ;  iai 

But  ftill  a  modeft  fear  his  lips  conftn'd  : 
in  pleas'd  attention  on  her  charms  he' hung, 
7\rd  half-heard  wiflves  trembled  e'er  his  torque. 
At  length,  kind  Heaven,  propitious  to  the  pair, 
Led  his  fond  flsps,  where  love  had  led  the  fair.  i  tG 

In  a  lone  walk,  far-diftant  on  the  plain, 
Sirpriz'd,  his  tongue  unbidden  told  his  pain. 
The  beanteous  maid,  of  frank  and  gentle  mind, 
Smil'd  in  his  hopes,  and  blels'd  with  love  renn'd, 
Jn  truth'*  m*ld  beam  the  fpotlefs  union  grew  ,  1 !  5 

And  gave  fuch  joy.  as  youthful  angels  knew. 

Now  wak'd  the  dim-feen  dawn.     OVr  hillo  afar 
Rofe  in  gay  triumph  morn's  refulgent  ihr  ; 
Uj  the  gay  ty-iea  fore-running  beauty  Spread  ; 
The  grey  milt  fail'd  along  the  mountain's  head  ;  1  z* 

In  clouds  th'  embefom'd  lark  her  matin  fings, 
And  from  his  couch  impatient  Irad  fprings, 
To  morn's  unnumber'd  fweets  invites  the  fair, 
Gr.v  profpetts,  magic  fongs,  and  fragrant  air. 

Rapt  with  the  charms,  which  nature  give*  to  view      1 ;  5 
-,  'he  high,  the  beauteous,  and  the  new, 
To  her  foft  power  they  bow'd  the  yielding  mind, 
Warm'd  as  they  heard,  and  as  theyga£'d  renVd  ; 
In  flowery  tribes, where thonfand  fplendors  play  ; 
When  magic  profpeel  holds  the  lingering  dajrj  130 

When  brighten'd  Evening  fpreada  her  gayeft  train, 
And  hails  young  Helper  to  hi*  native  main; 


£    O    O    K      III. 


59 


In  cloud/  wilds,  where  gloomy  thunder  lies, 

33|e  pale  moon  mourns,  and  mountains  prop  the  fkies. 

O'er  northern  plains  ferene  the  lovers  ftray,  135 

And  various  converfe  charms  their  eafy  way- 
How  f.veet,  O  fair— -the  Youth  with  rapture  cries- 
Earth's  beauteous  fcenes,  and  wonders  of  the  fkies  ! 
The  folding  clouds  !   the  gates  of  morn  unbarr'd  ! 
The  dewy  plains,  with  flowery  gems  infearr'd  !  140 

TheclirT-topp'd  mountain  !   the  deep-waving  grove  ? 
The  air  all  odour  !   and  the  worM  all  love  ! 

Thrice  fair  are  nature's  works— -the  maid  replied, 
And  her  facebloom'd  in  beauty's  living  pride— - 
When  round  her  fields  my  thoughts  untroubled  roll,     145 
An  eafy  joy  Heals  foftly  on  my  foul : 
Fir'd  as  I  gaze,  my  bieaft  with  raptt;re  warmsa 
Her  glories  ravifh,  and  her  mufic  charms. 
But  oh  the  fate  of  Ai's  unhappy  field, 
That  every  joy,  and  every  hope,  difpell'd.!  ,i$p 

Fled  are  the  charms,  that  nature  once  attir'i 
And  loft  the  fweets,  that  ether  once  infpir'd. 
As  now  through  well-known  paths,  retir'd  I  ftray, 
Aim  feek  accuftom'd  beauties  round  my  way ; 
At  every  turn,  the  leeming  trump  alarms,  155 

Pale  corfes  rife,  and  groans,  and  claihing  arms  ; 
From  my  pain'd  bofom  heaves  th' unbidden  figh  ; 
The  ftill  tear  trembles  in  xny  labouring  eye  ; 
.Loir,  but  to  grief,  my  feet  bewilder'd  rove, 
And  my  heart  deadens  to  thyfelf,  and  love.  f-c-o 

O  fatal  haplefs  combat  !  caufc  unjufl ! 
That  blends  the  nobleft  heroes  with  the  dult  ; 
From  fad  Canaan's  fons  their  wealth  demands, 
r£Jje  flocks  they  tended,  and  their  cultur'd  lands  ; 
£>idso'er  their  peaceful  domes  deftruttion  flame,  16; 

And  blots  with  deep  di&onour  Ifrael's  name. 

The  Prince  rejoin'd,  By  all-creating  Heaven, 
To  Abraham's  fens  thefe  fruitful  fields. wei;e  given. 


Co  BOOK      III. 

Whate'er  he  made,  the  Maker  claims  his  cwn  ; 

Gives,  and  refumes,  advis'd  and  rul'd  by  none.  17a 

By  him  beilovv'd,  a  righteous  {word  demands 

Thefe  flocks,  thefe  cities,  and  thefe  promis'd  lands, 

Yet  not  'till  crimes,  beyond  long-fuffering  great, 

Had  fili'd  their  cup,  and  fix'd  their  changclefs#itate, 

Would  Heaven  permit  our  race  its  gift  to  claim,  175 

Or  feal  the  glory  of  th'  almighty  Name. 

In  vain  mild  Mercy  hop'd  their  hearts  to  gain, 

And  Patience  look'd  for  Penitence,  in  vain. 

As  rolling  fcreams  onecourfe  eternal  keep, 

All  rum  impetuous  down  the  guilty  fteep.  18© 

The  maid  return'd,  The  nations'  foul  difgrace, 
Stain'd  with  black  guilt,  I  grant  Canaan's  race. 
But  not  alike  are  all  from  virtue  driven  ; 
Some,  more  than  others,  claim  the  fword  of  Keaven  : 
Yet  undiltinguiih'd  falls  the  general  doom,  l S 5 

The  beft,  the  worft,  we  deftine  to  the  tomb. 

Where  Hazor's  hundred  towers  majeftic  rife, 
Frown  o'er  her  plains,  and  dare  avenging  fkies ; 
In  all  that  elegance  of  artlefs  charms, 
Which  prompts  mild  love,  and  rival  hate  alarms  ;       190 
In  that  fweet  union  of  ferene  defircs, 
Which  blows  with  fragrant  breath  unmingled  fires  ; 
Young,  beauteous  fair-ones,  through  her  regions  known, 
Outvie  the  maid,  thoulov'ft  to  cali  thy  own. 
To  thefe  bright  virgins  chofen  Irads  bow  ;  195 

Lefs  wife,  lefs  virtuous,  and  lefs  fair  than  thou  ; 
But  crown'd  with  many  a  grace  ;  of  thoughts  refin'd, 
Ofpleafing  perfen,  and  of  dauntlefs  mind. 
Shall  this  blefs'd  train,  (o  young,  fo  fair,  fo  brave, 
Fall,  with  black  wretches,  in  a  fircy  ^r?.ve  ?  200 

Or  round  wild  regions  mult  they  haplefs  roam, 
Exil'd  from  jo v,  and  fore'd  from  cheerful  home  ? 
To  hunger,  thirft,  and  for  row,  link  and  pray, 
And  breathe,  with  lingering  death,  their  lives  away. 


BOOK      III.  6i 

Should'ft  thou,  when  war  to  S^lem  drives  her  courfe, 
Seize  the  keen  fteel,  and  join  the  conquering  force,     206 
While  thy  bold  breait  with  glory's  warmth  beat3  high, 
-And  wreaths  well-twin'd  approach  thy  raviih'd  eyt, 
To  fome  loie  ham'et  loofely  wandering  come, 
Where  f.ifcple  fwains  had  built  their  peaceful  home,    210 
Where  care  in  filence  fmoothly  pafs'd  away, 
And  home-bred  happinefs  deceiv'd  the  day; 
Should  there  fweet,  helplefs  children  meet  thy  view, 
Fair  as  young  roftbuds  leek  thro'  early  dew, 
With  infant  wonder,  on  thine  armour  gaze,  215 

And  point,  with  artlefs  hands,  the  fteely  blaze  : 
Say  could  thy  heart  one  angry  purpofe  know, 
Or  doom  fuch  cherubs  to  a  (ingle  woe  ? 
Charm'"  d  by  fort  fmiles,  I  fee  thy  heart  retire, 
And  mild  companion  breathe  a  gentler  fire  ;  220 

Thy  love  parental  o'er  them  kindly  yearn, 
Prompt  pleafing  hope,  and  all  their  wimes  learn  ; 
Thy  bounteous  hand  each  needed  blifs  bellow, 
And  in  the  angel  lofe  th'  i  itended  foe. 

Yet  fhould  dread  war  o'er  thefe  fair  regions  fly,         225 
Unnumbered  virgins,  bright  as  thefe  mull  die  ; 
To  flames  unnumber'd  babes  reugn  their  breath, 
And  ere  life  bloiToms,  meet  untimely  death. 

To  thee,  O  prince  !  without  a  blum,  I  own 
Such  woes  tremendous  frctzz  rr.y  heart  to  ftone.  250 

Ere  Irad'sarm  fuch  precious  lives  defcroy, 
Let  me,  far  guiiuer,  ceafe  from  every  joy  ; 
Quick  to  the  drear/  grave  my  form  defcend, 
Oar  love  all  vanifh,  and  our  union  end. 

The  Prince  replied,  BleiVd  gentlenefs  of  mind  !       235 
The  grace,  the  glory  of  a  heart  refin'd  ! 
When  new-born,  helplefs  beings  meet  our  eyes, 
In  noble  mi  ids,  fuch  thoughts  refifKefs  rife : 
Even  brutes,  when  yoan?,  o.ir  tender  wilhes  try, 
Aad  love  forbids  the  inrant  whe  ;  to  diz  24* 


62  book:    |n, 

Vet  oft  this  r.indcft  impulfe  of  the  foul 
Bids  wild  defire  in  murmuring  tumults  roll, 
And  blames  the  Power,  whofe  love  alone,  to  earth, 
.And  all  earth's  drear  and  dark  events,  gave  birth. 

In  thy  pure  bofom,  angels  muft  approve.  245 

For  fad  Canaan's  youth,  this  generous  love. 
But  once  as  fair,  as  young,  as  loft  as  they, 
As  white  with  innocence,  withfmiles  as  gay, 
Were  thofe  black  throngs,  whofe  crimes  as  mountains  rife ^ 
And  wipe  out  pity  from  th'  all  bounteous  ikies.  250 

As  eggs  innoxious,  oft  in  meadows  ftrew'd, 
Preak  into  afps,  and  pour  the  viper's  brood  ; 
Nurs'd  in  rank  foils,  to  (trer.gth  the  reptiles  grow, 
Kefound  the  hifs,  the  iting  of  vengeance  throw, 
Uprear  the  creft,  inroll  the  fnaky  ipire,  255 

Light  the  keen  eye-ball  with  terrific  fire  ; 
Prom  fields,  and  forefts, death,  and  poifon  gain, 
And  fcatter  widedeflruclion  round  the  plain  : 
»*^o,  harmlefs  once,  by  vile  affections  lur'd, 
3n  guilt,  and  years,  thofe  babes  alike  matur'd  ;  2L~k 

.Athirft  for  fin,  all  patterns  ieft  behind, 
The  form  all  putrid,  poifon 'd  all  the  mind, 
To  every  ciime,  to  every  madnefs,  driven, 
C-urs'd  the  fad  world,  and  hifs'd  the  name  of  Heaven. 
There  the  fot  reels,  the  murderer  prowls  for  blood  ;      26c 
There  the  ftarv'd  orphan  fues  in  vain  for  food  ; 
Tot  man  man  burns,  with  Sodom's  tainted  Hasne, 
-And  the  world  f.ckens  with  inceituous  ihamr. 
>'.ven  nature's  ties  their  boforos  bind  no  more, 
Wives  wade  in  nuptial,  fires  in  filial  gore  ;  270 

To  howling  Molock  blooming  babes  expire, 
Ana  mothers  round  them  dance,  and  light  the  funeral  fire, 
aid  then  thefe  infants  to  dread  manhood  rife, 
It  unheard  crimes  would  frncke  thro'  earth  and  &>• 
vVhtt  hods  of  demons  fin's  dark  realm  would  gain  !      275 
JJo«V  hell  gape  hideous  round  Canaan's  plain  I 


BOOK      III.  6$ 

This  fea  of  guilt  unmeafur'd  to  prevent, 
Our  chofen  race  eternal  Jullice  fent, 
iAt  once  the  bright  poffeffion  to  reclaim, 
And  'gainlt  its  viclims  point  the  vengeful  flame,  2S0 

Thus  crimes  their  due  and  dire  reward  (hall  know  ; 
Thus  God  be  WTtneis'd  lln's  unchanging  foe  ; 
From  land  to  land  Jehovah's  glory  mine, 
And  fear,  and  homage,  wait  the  N  3  me  divine. 

But,  O  unrivall'd  maid  !  the  kindeil  doom  zSj 

Thefe  babes  may  delline  to  an  early  tomb. 
To  manhood  ni'en  their  guilt,  beyond  controu!, 
"Would  blot  their  names  from  life's  c  lelHal  roll. 
Now,  in  fair  climes,  their  fouls,  forever  bJef^d, 
May  bloom  in  youth,  and  ibare  immortal  re  it  ;  293 

.And  haii  the  bound  Urfs  grace,  that  i'natch'd  its  foes 
Froai  iins  unnumber'd,  and  from  lafting  woes. 

An<i,  O  bright  maid!    whate'er  high  Heaven  delign'J 
isjuft,  is  glorious  to  th'  omnifcient  Mind. 
When  Heaveti  commands,  the  virtuous  a&  no  more:   29 j 
His  will  is  ju/lice,  as  his  arm  is  power  : 
lied  by  his  voice,  our  cau.'e  divine  we  know  ; 
We  tempt  no  evil,  and  we  fear  no  foe. 

All  gentle  Youth  !   Selima  {"oft  replied— - 
How  well  thy  word:;  from  falsehood  truth  divide  !  300 

With  what  fwe^t  tenclernek,  thy  voice  di;pli/s 
The  truth,  the  Inltre,  cf  th'  Eternal  ways. 
But  fay,  blefs'd  Prince  \  will  Heaven  our  race  fucceed  ? 
Shall  we  victorious  gain  the  darling  meed  ? 
St  oft  our  h<  it  rebellion  blackens  o'er,  305; 

I  fear,  left  triumph  crown  oor  a  mis' no  more. 
"^Vheit  wiil  the  !riendly  cloud  aeain  return  ? 
When  o?er  yon  dome  the  nightly  glory  burn  ? 

Rejoin'd  thefmiling  Prince  ;  too  anxious  maid, 
Let  faith tefs  terror  ne'er  thy  heart  invade,  510 

To  Abraham  feaFd    thefacred  covenant  ftanrls-  - 
Thy  cotutlefi  ions  foali  ntfe  Canaan's  kacu.--- 


32* 


C\  BOO    K     in. 

Guilt's  !nplo,,c  t'nin  thefe  tumults  (hall  deftroy  ; 

Too  vile,  toobafe,  to  mare  the  promls'd  joy. 

And  he,  whofe  foul,  a  plant  for  earth  too  fair, 
'<Has  erovn,  and  ripen'd  for  a  kinder  air, 

Full  foon  may  feel  the  hand  of  blading  time, 

By  Heaven  tranfplantcd  to  a  nobler  clime, 

Pafs  the  cold  winter  of  the  frozen  tomb, 

And  rife,  "nd  fiourilh  in  eternal  blooms 

But  to  glad  fields,  beyond  thofe  hills  that  lie, 

And  drink,  mild  influence  from  the  weilern  fky, 

T.ne  rell  triumphant  foon  fhali  wing  their  way, 

Seize  their  varl  towns,  and  reign  from  fea  to  fea. 

Then  ioin'd  in  love,  in  bands  connubial  join'u,         32- 
Each  paiTion  calm'd,  and  every  tafte  refin'd, 
Our  fears  mail  end,  unclouded  hope  begin, 
Peace'  gentle  morning  o'er  Canaan  mine  ; 
In  foft  beatitude  the  feafcos  roll, 
And  growing  union  mix  the  kindred  foul.  330 

The  maia  .-eturn'd— O  day  fupremely  fair ! 
Not  blooming  Eden  own'd  a  happier  pair. 
But,  Youth  belov'd  1   my  boibm,  rack'd  with  pain, 
Tells  me,  fad  taic  !  the  daring  wiih  is  vain. 
Tells  me  thatchofen  morn  will  never  come,  j*« 

Nor  bliis  be  rinilVd,  but  bevond  the  tomb. 
For  earth  too  bright  were  tbefe  love-lighted  f.res  ! 
To.-)  blefs'dth'  indulgence  of  kich  pure  defirea  ! 
Hce  unal  ray 'd,  no  lo:,  no  joy  appears  ; 
Grief  poifons  hope,  and  pieafurei  mi<  with  tears.         34* 

Ah  fa  it,  lovelieil  of  thy  kind  ! 

Of  form  all  iiniihM'  and  of  matcn'.efs  mind  ! 
Sweet-fmiling  vifitant  from  yonder  fey  ! 
Too  bright  to  live,  and  O  too  dear  to  die  ! 
Why,  haplefa  Mina  !   why  from  friends,  and  home, 

I  *hou,  u^  1  the  wild  wood  roam  ? 

I  '       '  '    '  r      ■  :  thj '  v  ay 

Luirv  d  wii  ira  '.■"■•  prey. 


BOOK     nr.  <% 

Perhaps,  O  lot  of  angiiifli  h  brutal  men 

Thy  path  unguarded,  with  fell  eyes,  have  feen,  350 

Or  doft  thou  psle,  unfeen,  unburied,  lie, 

Sad  forrow's  victim,  in  th'  inclement  fkv  ? 

How  foon  is  thy  fair  courfe  of  glory  run  ! 

Thy  hopes  all  ended  !  all  thy  duties  done  ! 

Sleep,  lovely  maid  !   in'hollow'd  filence  reft,  355 

Let  fragrant  gales  thy  form  with  leaves  invert:  ; 

There  with  new  fweets,  the  lovely  wild-rofe  bloom, 

And  pitying  ftrangere  raife  thy  verdant  tomb. 

Ah  haplefs  maid  !    the  tender  prince  rejoinM--- 
How  thy  rich  graces  charm'd  each  generous  mind  I      360 
Even  Joshua's  love  how  nobly  didft  thou  claim* 
Thy  wifhes  virtue,  and  thy  anions  fame  ! 
When  his  toils  rofe,  when  dangers  direopprefs*d, 
And  IfraePs  griefs  hung  heavy  on  his  breaft, 
Thy  gentle  mind,  a  foul-f.ipporting  fray,  36"^ 

Seren'd  thofe  toils,  and  charm'd  thofe  griefs  away  ; 
A  calm  retreat  from  fear,  and  doubt,  and  flrife, 
And  all  the  hidden  pangs  cf  icepter'd  life. 
Reft  in  mild  {lumbers,  lovely  maiden  !  reft  ; 
Thy  life  be  copied,  and  thy  memory  blefs'd  !  370 

Each  fofr-eyed  virgin  bid  thy  fame  revive, 
Attune  her  lyre,  and  in  her  actions  live  : 
So,  join'd  with  thee,  in  beauty's  diftant  clime, 
Her  "praife  lhall  triumph  o'er  the  death  of  time. 

As  thus  the  convene  p&fs'd,  with  many  a  tear,  375 

To  the  ftill  camp  approacrrd  the  fadden'd  pair. 
In  th'  utmoft  fldrt,  a  tent  at  diftance  Hood  ; 
Whence  mingling  voices,  lcarce-diitmguim'd,  fiow'd. 
Keard'ft  thou--a  warrior  low  his  zeal  cxprefs'd— 
When  generous  Hanniel  Jacob's  fons  addrefs'd  ?  3&0 

How  on  his  words. the  thoufands  liftefling  hung  !• 
How  f//eet  perfuafion  charm'd  'us  from  his  tongue  ! 
From  pride,  from  pomp,  from  love  of  titles  fiee, 
He  loves  the  poor  ;  he  feels  for  thee  and  me, 
K 


65  p    O     O    K      III. 

Oh,  could  our  tribes  by  fad  experience  learn  385 

What  children  tell,  and  what  the  blind  difcern, 

Hir.i  for  their  leader  would  they  paptur'd  claim, 

And  fly  from  cndlefs  toil,  and  cndlefs  fhame. 

From  hideous  war  my  wearied  foul  recoils  ; 

I  afc.110  Creatures  rais'd  fiom  battle's  fpoils.  390 

To  painful  arms  let  fons  of  {laughter  run  ; 

By  them  be  glory's  painted  bubble  won  : 

To  peace,  of  aims  far  different,  would  J  fly, 

Jn  peace  inglorious  live,  inglorious  die  : 

While  pe.-.ce,  while  plenty,  much-lov'd  Egypt  knows, 

.Hears  nolhrill  trump,  and  dreads  no  banded  foes,        396- 

TLtfe  boailed  flocks,  and  towns,  and  promis'd  fields, 

To  them  my  firft,  lad  wi.Qi  delighted  yields. 

With  earneit  voke,  his  fellow  pleas'd  replies— - 
Since  toil  and  pain  have  taught  thee  to  be  wife,  400 

Know,  my  brave  friend,  afecret,  faithful  band 
Soon  point  their  courfe  to  Egypt's  darling  land. 
Wi.en  firii  to  combat  Jofhua  bends  his  uay, 
To  guard  *r,e  eanrp  theie  bold  aflbciates  itay  ; 
With  one  firm  heart,  our  path  we  then  begin,  40$ 

And  noble  Hanniel  leads  the  blefs'd  defign. 
But  hufh'd  in  filencc  mull  thefe  counfel*  reft, 
Scarce  even  to  tried,  and  faithful  friends  confefs'd  ; 
Left  the  dread  Chief'sall-watchful,  piercing  eye, 
With  fun-Ijke  ken,  the  hated  plot  defcry.  410 

Thou  know'lt  what  ills  a  plot  difclos'd  attend  ; 
CJur  names  mull  peiii'h,  aud  our  lives  mult  end. 

His  friend  jt-turn'd---  The  lov'd,  the  bold  delign 
My  glad  foul  welcomes,  and  my  hand  (hall  join. 
Hail  happy  tidings  !   hail  aufpicious  fields  !  41  r 

Where  genial  nature  every  pleaiure  yields— 
'T  00  blefs'd,  to  that  fweet  native  land  1  fly, 
'I  hat  cot,  that  heritage,  that  friendly  Pkv--- 

fcenej  of  youth  :   where  peace  and  pleafure  mild, 
Wfth  cheerful  health,  .1..,  i  plenty  irailM— ■    ^zo 


BOG    X      III.  fy 

Might  thefe,  O  envied  lot !  again  be  given, 

'7" were  blifs  too  great  ;  I  claim  no  higher -heaven. 

This  heard,  Selima  to  her  tent  withdrew  ; 
S-Vhile  ftrait  to  Jo&ua  ardent  Irad  flew, 
To  him,  apart,  the  dangerous  plot  difclos'd,  425 

And  what  the  tribe,  and  where  the  tent,  expos'd. 
As  fome  fond  parent  eyes  his  darling  child, 
Pleas'd,  the  great  Hero  on  the  favourite  fmiPd, 
His  zeal,  his  prudence  prais'd,  and  on  his  head 
Befought  the  Heavens  their  choiceft  blifs  to  Ihed.  430 

Mean  time  from  diftant  guards  a  cry  a(cends, 
^And  round  the  camp  the  dinning  voice  extends  ; 
Th'  alarming  trump  refounds ;   the  martial  train- 
Pour  from  the  tents,  and  crowd  th'  accuftom'd  pla-in, 
Jn  mazy  wanderings,  thickening,  darkening,  roll,       435 
FilLail  the  field,  and  fnade  the  boundlefs  pole. 
As  where  proud  Erie  winds  her  narrowing  Caores,, 
And  o'er  huge  hills  a  boiling  ocean  p©urs, 
The  long  white-meeted  foam,  with  fury  hurl'd, 
Down  the  cliffs  thundering,  fhakes  the  flable  world,. 440 
In  folemn  grandeur  clouds  of  mift  arife, 
Top  the  tall  pines,  and  heavy,  feek  the  fkids : 
So  fpread  the  volumes  of  the  duft  afar  ; 
So  roar  the  clamors  of  commencing  war. 

Anxious,  and  a.&ive,  there  the  Leader  ftro&ej  ^5 

Nerv'd  every  heart,  and  fteel'd  for  death  and  blood  5 
From  rank  to  rank,  he  hufh'd  the  tumult's  found. 
And  fpread  deep  filence  o'er  th'  attentive  ground 
Then  while  the  chief?  combin'd  the  dread  ariay, 
Tow'rd  a  high  rock  he  bent  his  rapid  way  ;  450 

From  the  tall  height,  to  Ai  he  caft  his  eye?, 
And  faw,  in  fouthern  fields,  her  fljuadrons  rife  ; 
A  cloud,  far-fprcading,o'er  the  plain  impell'd, 
RolPd  up  th'  expanfe,  and  wrapp'd  the  gloomy  held  ; 
Approaching,  widening,  flow  the  darknefs  came,        45.5 
.Embl.az'd  with  gleams  ofimermitted  flame. 


£8  BOOK      in. 

So,  long  and  black,  like  fkirts  cf  rifmg  even, 

Thick  clouds,  now  gathering,  fili'd  the  northern  heaven  ; 

Borne  on  flow  winds,  that  ceafelefs  chang'd  its  form, 

O'er  the  dark  mountains  fail'd  th'  expanding  itorm  ;  463 

In  filing  grandeur  far-off  thunders  roll, 

Dim  lightnings  fiafh,  and  gild  the  clouded  pole  ; 

More  wide,  more  vait,  the  Solemn  gioom  afcends, 

And  frowning,  deepening,  round  th'  horizon  bends. 

At  once  the  Hero  gave  the  loud  command  ;  465- 

lu  awful  filence  mov'd  the  chofen  bar.d  ; 
Compact,  to  Ai  they  cours'd  their  dreadful  way, 
And  generous  Zimri  rul'd  the  long  array  1 

Mean  time  new  fcenes  around  the  camp  began, 
The  tribes. all  motion,  man  confus'd  with  man  ;  47* 

Frum  tent  to  tent fwift-haftening feet  appeared  ; 
Low-murmuring  voices,  mingling  (bands  were  heard  ; 
Loud,  and  more  load,  the  earneit  clamors  grow, 
Hum  through  the  tents,  and  all  the  camp  o'er  flow. 
To  Egypt's  realms--- refounds  the  general  cr.  ---  475 

From  thef*  frd  fcene*,  with  profpcous  feet,  we  fly, 
Thefc  holts  of  foes,  theie  fields  of  ceafelefs  fight, 
1'his  fway  of  bondage},  and  this  war  of  flight. 
Haite,  freedom's  fonst,  and  feize  her  happy  mores, 
For  ali  her  peace,  and  wealth,  and  joy,  are  you   1 
Thas  round  the  hoft  the  mingled  clamor  flev> , 
And  loud,  and  sierce,  (Rebates  tumultuous  g, 
They  urg'd,  perfuaded,  threatcn'd,  flatter'd,  cried, 

love  conjur'd,  with  flubborn  breaft  denied  ; 
Friends  left  their  friends,  with  anfwering  look  fevere,  2S5 

d  fad  departure,  dropp'd  th'  expreffive  tear; 
From  parents  children  headlong  burft  away , 

j  groans  recall'd  them  from  the  dire  ah  ray  ; 
To  brothers  brothers  gare  the  parting  hand, 
And  Virtue  eyed  ,  with  tear.  hand.         490 

All  drefs'd  in  arm?,  and 
th  from  the  camp  the  warriors  bent  their  way: 


BOOK      lit.  69 

Their  hands  their  gold,  and  favourite  treasures  bore, 

And  each  fond  bofom  hail'd  th'  Egyptian  fnore. 

O'er  the  broad  circuit  of  the  weliern  plain,  495 

From  all  fi  les  gatheriWgl  mov'd  the  numerous  train, 

This  way,  and  that,  in  thou  fa  nd  paths  impeli'd, 

Immingling,  ruining,  darkening,  hid  the  held, 

To  one  great  central  phalanx  iwiftly  driven, 

Gloom'd  the  fad  ground,  and  call  a  fhade  on  heaven,  500 

Frowning,  and  fierce,  expanded  o'er  the  plain, 

And,  proud  of  numbers,  deem'd  refinance  vain. 

Ofiaam  v,  before  th'  inereafirg  throng 

Two  haughty  chieffcatns  proudly  ftalk'd  along  ; 
Felt  all  the  joys,  which  little  minds  o'errun,  505 

From  fway  firit  tried,  and  influence  fcarce  begun  ; 
L  lok'd  wife*  inportant  hurried  o'er  the  field  ; 
Commanded,  queflion'd,  with  loud  threats  compeiPd  ; 
Speke  with  Hern  voice;  advifng,  wavering  flood, 
And  fcarce  the  ground  was  printed,  where  they  trode.  51* 

Far  round  the  plain  the  mingled  tumult  ran, 
Chief  anfwer'd  chief,  and  man  reLears'd  to  man. 
Thro'  each  fmail  circle  loud  the  murmur  fp read, 
Of  {polls  uneven,  virtues  unrepaid, 
Woes  unextino;uhVd,  labours  ne'er  to  end,  515 

The  ftarving  hou'hoid,  and  the  naked  friend— 
Where  now's  the  heart,  that  blefs'd  the  prophet's  fway, 
That  footh'u  the  nibes,  and  bade  the  foul  obey, 
Swept  Balhan's  fields  *  o'ertkrew  proud  Sihon's  throne, 
And  to  poor  warriors  left  the  fpoils  they  won  ?  520" 

But  now  new  chiefs, -in  wiles  and  learning  train'd, 
Wield  a  dread  fceptre,  with  an  iron  hand  ; 
All,  all  but  Hanniel  ;  Kanniel  fingly  glows 
With  JfraeL's  good,  and  weeps  for  Ifraei's  woes. 
Kul  then,  ch  hail  'he  blefs'd,  auiVcious  day,  52 j 

T  lat  cpes  to  brighter  realms  our  happy  way  ! 

chiefs,  we  ch-fe,  the  .glorious  path  mall  guide, 
Uncuirs'd  with  learning,  and  unftain'd  with  pride. 


70  BOO     K      Ilf. 

Th«s  round  the  plain  the  tumult  fhrill  re 'curds ; 
Of  different  note,  immix  unnumberd  founds ;  C30 

High  tofs'd  in  ether  helms  confas'dly  fly, 
And  clafning  fhields  to  claming  (hields  reply  : 
Loud,  hoarfe,  and  rough,  wide  jars  difcordant  roife, 
And  raging  paflions  f\*ell  the  clamorous  v.  ice. 
So,  where  on  ocean's  brim  the  long  '  is,         535 

Breaks  his  proud  waves,  and  all  his  for;     !    .;., 
Unnumber'd  fowls,  of  various  wing,  ariie, 
And  tofs  ifi  wild  gyrations  to  the  ikies  ; 
From  each  harm  throat  hard  ftrains  of  difcord  roar, 
Break  with  dire  din,  aad  grate  along  the  fhore  ;  54© 

JLoud,  and  more  loud,  the  natrons  heaven  deform, 
Or  gloom  the  flrand,  and  croak  the  coming  ftorm. 

As  round  the  plain  the  mingled  tumult  ran, 
Tadmor,  the  elder  chieftain,  thus  began--- 
Hail,  fons  of  freedom  !  Jacob's  faireit  boaft  !  545 

Heirs  of  the  fey,  and  virtue's  genuine  hoft  ! 
Wp!1  did  brave  Hanniel  teach,  in  words  divine, 
How  faft  our  tribes,  with  toils,  and  griefs,  decline  ; 
Full  well  he  mark'd  what  deep  defigns  are  laid 
By  chiefs,  of  man,  nor  truth,  nor  Heaven,  afraid  ;       $50 
That,  fwell'd  with  pride,  and  train'd  in  artful  lore, 
O'erleap  all  right,  and  crufh  the  haplefs  poor. 
To  us  no  leader  tells  the  deep  defign, 
"What  hods  oppofe  us  and  what  lands  combine  ; 
What  towns  are  next  befieg'd  ;  what  dangers  tried  ;    55- 
What  fpoils  are  won,  and  who  thofe  fpoils  divide. 
In  Egypt's  realm  the  long-wifh'd  rule  to  gain, 
They  found  each  art,  and  each  bold  efrort,  vain  : 
Thence  thro'  the  waftc  they  urg'd  our  fatal  way, 
And  hop'd,  in  this. dire  land,  untroubled  fway  ;  56? 

Yet  there  the  poor  a  lot  far  happier  found, 
With  fafts  unburden'd,  and  with  rites  unbound: 
Our  tributes  paid,  at  plenteous  feafts  we  fate, 
^treteb'd  in  foft  cafe,  and  every  dainty  ate. 


BOOK    III,  ft 

Oh,  why  from  thofe  fair  regions  did  we  come  T  $&$ 

Why,  blind  and  headlong,  leave  our  darling  home  ? 
Here  our  own  leaders  Egypt's  kings  outdo, 
A  id  change  of  lords  is  all  the  good  we  know. 

Hafte  then,  from  thefe  dread  fields  of  mifery  fly  ; 
With  chiefs  you  chofe  again  to  Egypt  hie  ;  570 

Where  eafe,  and  wines,  and  feafts,  and  foft  delight, 
Earth  ever  fruitful,  fkies  forever  bright. 
Awake  ftveet  pleafure,  raptured  love  revive, 
And  teach  poor  mortals  what  it  is  to  live  : 
Now  feize  the  hour,  by  Jofhua's  folly  given,  575 

Or  op'd  for  Ifrael  bv  a  pitying  Heaven. 
Ai's  gallant  ions  will  fweep  his  hoft  away, 
Worne  by  long  labours,  and  to  fails  a  prey  ; 
Or,  fcap'd  the  held,  their  wearv  feet  mult  fail  ? 
Or,  joinM  in  fight,  our  arms  will  foon  prevail ;  5S0 

This  day  beyond  purfuit  our  courfe  removes, 
And  leaves  the  tyrant  to  the  Haves  he  loves. 

He  fpoke  ;  at  once,  from  all  th*  impatient  train, 
A  bud  of  triumph  fhook  the  founding  plain  ; 
Thence  rofe  the  fhout  ;  as  oft  the  heavens  replied  ;      585 
And,  borne  thro'  fields,  and  wood*,  the  far-off  murmur  died. 
Thus,  when  the  vernal  florm  forbears  to  rave, 
And  the  wild  river  f.vells  his  torrent  wave, 
Huge  iiles  of  ice,  along  the  clifted  more. 
Float  flow,  and  cumbrous ;  folemn  thunders  roar,         590 
In  deep  gradations,  rife,  and  burft,  and  it!1, 
Wave  o'er  the  founding  hills,  and  leilen  to  the  pole. 

When  finl  from  Joihua  faithful  Irad  went, 
He  fummon'd  Judah's  heroes  to  his  tent, 
Bade  them  the  tribes  with  prudent  caution  eye,  59; 

Purfue  their  motions,  arui  their  views  defcry, 
Their  tumults  hum,  or  fhould  their  efforts  fail. 
With  fpeed  to  him  convey  th'  unpleafing  tale. 
When  round  the  camp  diforder'd  (eenes  began, 
Strai;  to  the  found  th'  attentive  heroes  rap  ;  Con 


7*  B.    O     O    K    Tir. 

Watch'd  all  the  murmurs  of  the  gathering  train, 

And  follow'd  anxious  to  the  troubled  plain  ; 

But  firft  the  tidings  to  the  Leader  fped, 

What  bands affembred,  and  what  chieftain:  led, 

Urg'd  him  with  hade  to  arm  a  numerous  force,  *  (,c\ 

And  'gain  ft  th'  infurgenn  bend  his  rapid  courfe. 

And  now,  when  Tadmor  ceas'd,  the  fhouts  decay'd, 
With  fsveet,  mild  accentr  thus  grave  Caleb  faid— - 
How  flight  the  toil,  miflaking  cheif,  to  prove 
'  V\s  wiidom's  voice  directs  the  path,  we  love  !  Cio 

Though  thorns.,  though  ferpents  hedge  the  fatal  way, 
The  fond  heart  bid-,  and  aiifwering  feet  obey. 
Kach  truth,  each  argument*  thy  voice  runs  o'er, 
lorbids  our  hoft  to  feek  th'  Egyptian  more. 
The  wane's  dire  ills  thy  plaintive  words  refound,         615 
Yet  through  that  wafte  the  darling  realm  is  found  ; 
Again  thole  countlefs  woes  our  race  mull  try  ; 
Again  with  toil,  and  third,  and  famine,  die. 
Or  /hall  we  fiee,  by  Hazor's  bands  compell'd, 
To  meet  fierce  Amalek,  in  the  hofule  field.  Cz  l 

Will  hoils  that  trem'.;'c,  where  Ai's  fans  appear,, 
AJoide  the  conflict.,  when  Phiiiflia's  near. 

But  towhaten  bes, 

Shall  Ifrael  war  to  gsm  Egyptian  woes; 
Shame,  vice,  idolatry,  and  bondage,  join'd,  C25 

The  wrath  of  Heaven,  an  J  hi  fling  of  mankind  ? 
If  war  is  deftin'd  Ifraei's  fearful  doom, 
With  war,  Jot  freedom,  wealth,  and  glory  come  : 
Let  peace,  let  realms,  let  empire  crown  the  toil  ; 
The  world  applaud  us,  and  th'  Eternal  fi  630 

la  this  fair  Ii  1  1,  llnl!  each  poor  warrior  reign 
Lord  of  himf(  If,  and  monarch  of  the  plain. 
His  houfe,  his  herd,  his  hanreft  all  his  own, 
And  ch  angel  efs  law  tranfmit  them  to  hi 
But  Egypt's  weakh  .her  635 

Her  ions, 


BOOK      III.  73 

For  him  our  hands,  in  flavifb  woe,  mail  toil, 

■And  pamper  fplendor  on  the  beggar  a  fpoil, 

Poor  beyond  thought,  furpend?d  on  a  breath > 

Our  life  a  fufferance,  and  a  nod  our  death.  640 

But  Ifrael's  chiefs  are  train'din  dangerous  lore, 
And  hence  regardlefs  of  the  humble  poor. 
Say,  Tadmor,  fay,  the  wiles  of  art  to  fhun, 
To  Egypt's  realms  impatient  dod  thou  run  ? 
To  courts,  to  lords,  with  fmooth  deceit  o'erhung,  645 

Where  art  firft  budded,  and  where  learning  fprung  ? 
Truth,  confeience,  Heaven,  thine  idle  dreams  deny  ; 
Repent,  return  ;  nor,  foarM  by  treasons,  die. 

The  hero  fpoke.     From  all  the  angry  train 
A  rifmg  murmur  wav'd  along  the  plain  :  650 

As  'twixt  tall  hills,  uhere  ruihing  torrents  roll, 
A  flow,  and  lingering  groan  afcends  the  pcie; 
Thro' gloomy  caverns  hums  the  folemn  found, 
Pills  all  the  hollow  realm,  and  fnakes  the  fhady  ground. 

Ardan,  the  younger  chiefuin,  quick  returti'd,  65.5 

And  from  his  eye-balls  kindling  fury  burn'd--- 
Imperious  prince,  1  know  thy  heart  of  Steel 
Ne'er  lov'd  the  poor,  and  never  knew  to  feel. 
But  that  proud  voice,  which  aw'd  my  breaft  before, 
Now  fails  to  rule,  arrd  guides  the  hoft  no  more.  660 

I  mock  thy  threats,  thy  utmoft  power  ccfy, 
Thy  reafons  trample,  and  thy  words  deny. 
Chang'd  is  the  fcene.     Thy  price  mull  now  obey 
In  worth  thy  betters,  and  thy  lords  in  fway. 
Go  tell  yon  flaves,  that  bafe,  and  beflial  train,  665 

Thy  arts,  thy  arguments,  and  threats  are  vain  ; 
Bid  them  their  friends,  their  gallant  brethren  fee, 
A  holl  of  heroes,  daring  to  be  free, 
Of  numbers  countlels,  bravery  *~ever  aw'd, 
Dup'dby  no  laws,  and  blinded  by  no  God,  679 

Their  courfe  now  bending  to  the  bljfsful  fhore, 
Y/he*e  peace  and  plenty  bid  the-  cup  run  o'er  : 

L 


74-  BOOK    III. 

While  they,  poor  reptiles  !  in  drezd  bondage  lie, 
Drag  life  in  mifery,  and  unburied  die, 
Hafte,  hafte,  ere  vengeance  on  thy  helmet  light,  675 

And  plunge  thee  fwift to everlaftiog night. 

Bafe,  reptile  mifcreant  ! —  Hezron  fierce  replied— 
Go   dream  of  Egypt ;  fwcll  thine  infeft  pride  ; 
Thy  wings  expand  ;  around  thy  dunghill  fly  ; 
Huzz  thy  fmall  moment,  and  forgotten  die.  680 

:'->r  know,  vain  wretch  !  the  voice  of  peace  is  o'er  ; 
The  hare  of  Mercy  lifts  her  branch  no  more; 
To  (peed  thy  doom  impatient  Juftice  flies, 
And  wings  the  vengeance  of  affronted  flcies. 

The  hero  fpoke.     A  riling  hifs  began,  6S5 

And  round  the  plain  contemptuous  murmurs  ran  : 
Qjici:  tow'rd  the  caunp  the  princes  bent  their  courfe, 
A  id,  turn'dto  Egypt,  mov'd  the  rebel  force. 
'.  heir  ft  mdard  rofc  :  a  fhout  to  heaven  afcends* 

[  wide,  and  deep,  the  gloomy  hoft  extends.  690 

i'  .r  round  the  files  each  cafts  exulting  eyes  ; 
Each  feels  the  prowefsof  his  arm  arife : 
By  pride  their  force,  their  numbers  doubled  o"er, 
All  foes  defpjs'd,  and  Joiliua  fear'd,  no  more  ; 
From  voice  to  voice  the  haughty  tale  rebounds,  695 

And  air  re-echoes  with  the  mingling  founds. 

As  near  the  diflant  groves  the  warriors  drew, 
And  homeward  call  a  lingering,  parting  view  ; 
Behold  !   in  eaftem  fields  a  numerous  train 
Pour'd  from  tl  mic1  hajten'd  o'er  the  plain.      ;c# 

Tiitre  trembled  Ephraim's  enfign  in  the  fkies  ; 
There  the  bull's  \  d  from  wrathful  eyes  j 

In  aft  to  wound,  with  threatening  horns,  he  flood, 

d  his  rival's  hiood. 
Behind  the  might)  I'd, 

Thd darkening  phalanx  •  cr  the  field; 

:!  way, 
And  round  the  rebels  feed  a  due  difmay. 


BOOK    IU,  75 

Ama^M,  the  chieftains  faw  his  hardening  courfe, 
And  rang'd,  with  active  fpeecl,  their  numerous  force  ;  710 
In  wild,  diforder'd  ranks,  confus'd  they  flood, 
Spoke  founding  boafts,  and  thirfled  loud  xor  blcod. 

As  near  the  noify  fquadrons  Jofhua  drew, 
Round  the  rude  riles  he  caft  a  fearching  view  ; 
For  Hanniel's  fleps  he  gaz'd  ;  but  gaz'd  in  vain,  715 

Nor  found  the  hero  on  the  troubled  plain. 
For  well  his  mind,  by  fad  experience,  knew 
What  fearful  ills  defeated  plots  purine. 
How  fway  accuftom'd,  faction  wild  o'erihrows, 
And'fudden  tumults  end  in  certain  woes.  720 

Thence,  to  his  tent  by  cautious  thoughts  conhVd, 
Disjointed  counfels  throng'd  his  relYle&  mind  ; 
He  view'd,  he  wifh'd  ;  but  knew  the  wifa  was  vaia, 
And  boded  ruin  to  his  favorite  train. 
Too  wife  the  Chief,  too  fix'd  tive  hoft,  he  faw  ;  725 

Too  firm  th'  obedience  to  the  facred  law  ; 
In  fullen  fileace  moum'd  his  lot  fevere, 
And  wail'd  devoted  treafon,  with  a  tear. 

High  in  the  van,  the  Leader  rais'd  his  voice, 
The  noils  ail  trembling  at  the  dreadful  noiie— -  730 

lialie  to  your  tents,  with  fwift  obedience  haile, 
That  Mercy's  veil  may  hide  the  follies  pa-ft  ; 
Hade,  ere  this  hand,  by  injur'd  juftice  driven, 
Plunge  in  your  breafb,  th'  aven^in^  -f.vord  of  Heaven  : 
Your  Maker's  voice,  with  confeious  ;\eed,  Obei  ,  73- 

And  let  deep'Forrow  waih  your  guilt  away. 

Thus  he.     Eo!d  Ardan  with  ftirlH  voice  replied— 
Let  no  vain  hope  infl  ite  thy  Rvelling  pride--- 
JLnow,  proud,  mif-deeming leader  !   Heaven  deftgn'd 
Jacob's  brave  fons  to  bow  with  willing  mind  ; 
The  chiefs,  we  freeJ)M:hofe,  our  hearts  obey, 
And  crouch  no  more,  obfequious  to  thy  fway. 
"To  happier  realms,  with  profperous  feet,  we  gs} 
And  leave  thy  bondmen  here  La  .every  wee  j 


76  BOOK      II.I. 

Leave  them  to  toil,  to  groan,  so  mourn  their  doom,    745 
Languifh  out  life,  and  die  without  a  tomb  : 
While  we,  fair  freedom^  Tons,  fuperior  fly 
To  peace,  and  tranfport,  in  a  kinder  fky. 

The  Chief  difdain'd  return.     With  wrathful  look, 
His  eyes  ftream'd  terror,  as  the  culprit  fpoke  ;  750 

y  orth  from  the  van,  with  awful  port,  he  flrode  ; 
O'er  his  bright  arms  reflected  lightnings  glow'd  ; 
With  lifted  hand,  he  drove  th'  avenging  blade, 
And  plung'd  proud  Ardan  fwift  to  endlefs  fhade. 
Th'  aftoninVd  train,  like  hunted  harts  impell'd,         755 
Scfctter'd  in  headlong  terror,  o'er  the  field. 
So,  on  heaven's  plain  when  war  and  tumult  fprung, 
By  Britain's  pride,  and  earth's  bright  Phoenix,  fung, 
When  Satan,  madden'd  with  Tartarean  rage, 
Dar'd  Michael's  fword,  and  Michael's  might  engage  ; 
In  pomp  divine  the  great  Archangel  flood  ;  761 

A  fun's  broad  fplendors  round  his  forehead  glow'd  ; 
Down  his  long  wings  thick,  branching  lighrnings  fell ; 
Dire  as  ten  thunders,  rufn'd  his  flaming  ftcel  ; 
Th'  Apoftate  funk  ;  fear  wing'd  the  rebel  train,  765 

Swift  as  the  rapid  whirlwind,  o'er  th'  empyreal  plain. 

Tleas'd,  the  great  chief,  and  Judah's  heroes  view'd 
The  flying  train,  by  guilt  and  fear  fubducd  ; 
While  to  high  heaven  their  grateful  praifes  role, 
Whofe  guardian  hand  had  fav'd  from  ccuntlefs  woes,  7;-© 
Then  loud  the  cries  proc!aim---to  Egypt's  land 
A.  I  latever  wretch  (hall  lure  a  guilty  band, 
By  Hones  opprefs'd,  his  life  mall  fall  a  prey, 
And  dread  oblivion  fweep  his  name  away. 

While  thus  the  rod  of  vengeance  Jofhua  fway'd,      fyc 
And  the  dread  dmults  of  the  pl.-.in  drc.v'd. 
Th'  approaching  hofts,  at  diflance,  Irad  view'd, 
And  Zimri'a  thonfands,  with  glad  feet  purfned, 
Trac'd  all  the  pomp  of  war,  with  wild  delight, 
lAnd  wifli'd,  unann'd,  to  lh&re  ih'  impending  fight.  7S0 


BOOK      TIL  77 

Like  ocean's  waves,  the  Tons  of  Ai  were  driven, 

And  lowering  Ifrael  cad  a  glocm  on  heaven  ; 

Proud  chiefs,  in  golden  iplendor,  trod  the  plain, 

And  tower'd  majeftic  o'er  the  vulgar  train. 

So,  ftraight  and  tall,  beyond  the  foreft  fair,  78c 

The  pine,  ambitious,  ftands  without  a  r 

O'er  every  grove  beholds  his  boughs  afcend, 

Oaks  climb  beneath,  and  humble  cedars  bend  ; 

Shares  the  mild  winds,  the  fallen  llorm  defies, 

And  towers,  and  waves,  and  wantons,  in  the  ikies  ;    jgo 

la  pride  fublime,  demands  the  fylvan  reign, 

And  glows,  and  triumphs,  in  immortal  green. 

As  now  the  tempeit  hid  die  orb  of  day, 
The  threatening  fronts  approach'd,  in  dark  array  ; 
Swift  through  th'  expansion  clouds  of  arrows  fly  ;         795 
Stones  mower  on  fiones,  and  whiza  along  the  flcy  ; 
Sing  the  fnrill  firings  ;  the  hiffihg  darts  refound  ; 
From  clanging  bucklers  rattling  pebbles  bound; 
Now  here,  now  there,  the  warriors  fell ;  ara&in 
Groans  murmur;  armour  founds ;  and  (touts  convulfe  the 

With  deep  amaze,  the  fons  of  Ai  beheld         [plain.  Soo 
Their  foes,  with  ardour,  tempt  the  deathful  field. 
For  now,  elate,  they  fought  the  early  fight, 
To  certain  victory  roarch'd  with  fierce  dslight  ; 
And  fondly  hop'd,  ere  Oran's  hofts  fhould  come,  805 

To  feal  devoted  Ifrael's  haplefs  doom. 
But  vain  their  hopes :  for  with  firm  duty  firong, 
Undaunted  Zimri  fir'd  the  ma  Z— 

Now,  warriors,  now--the  glowing  leader  cried— 
Shall  [frael's  arms  regain  their  rayifti'd  pri-ie  ;  810 

Ai  now  (hall  learn,  untaught  ocr  force  to  flight, 
What  virtue  warms  us  to  the  generous  fi 
That  one  loft  field  (hall  ne'e-  cur  race  difi 
Nor  (hame,  nor  tcrror,  ftain  t    •  glorious  day. 

While  thus  untroubled  th  is  words  confefs'd,  Si$ 

Ail-SBxious  fears  diiljj  b'd  his  bodiag  breaft. 


-3  book     nr. 

The  hoft   he  knew  dirtrufiful  of  the  fky, 

Propenfe  to  terror,  and  prepar'd  to  fly  ; 

He  faw  them  fad  move  lingering  o'er  the  plain, 

New  arm  their  foes,  and  double  all  their  train  :  82* 

And  the  great  Chief  a  ftrong  injunftion  gave, 

Each  port  with  care  to  guard,  each  band  to  fave, 

Each  opening  fair  for  wife  retreat  t*  imbrace 

To  tempt  no  lofs,and  hazard  no  difgrace. 

But  far  beyond  his  thoughts,  the  four.d  of  war,  825 

The  clafn  of  arms,  the  (boats  that  rend  the  air, 

Th*  infpiring  tumults  of  the  dreadful  plain, 

New  ibung  their  nerve?,  and  rous'd  their  hopes  again. 

Jn  quick  oblivion,  flight  and  fear  were  loft; 

Increafmg  ardours  every  bofom  tofs'd  ;  830 

Firm-wedg'd,  unfhaken,  runVd  the  darkening  train  ; 

Spears  flew;  air  murmur 'd  ;  corfes  heap'd  the  plain  ; 

One  flight  of  twinkling  arms,  all  ether  (hone  ; 

Earth  ror.r'd  one  fhout  confus'd,  one  mingled  groan  ; 

Each  hofi  prefs'd  eager ;  each  difdain'd  to  fly  ;  83$ 

And  wide  confuhon  blended  earth  ai;d  /ky. 

Meaa  time  the  florm,  along  dark  mountains  driven, 
Hung  o'er  the  plain,  and  wrapp'd  the  mid-day  heaven  ; 
More  frequent  lightnings  blaz'd  the  fides  around, 
And  peals  more  dreadful  fliook  the  folid  ground.  $jfo 

From  the  black  clouds  the  whirlwinds  burl!  amain, 
Scour'd  all  the  groves,  and  rag'd  along;  the  plr.in  ; 
Beneath,  huge  ihouts  the  murmuring  concave  rend) 
And  drifts  of  dud  in  gloomy  pomp  afcend. 

With  boding  hearts,  the  chiefs  of  Ai  furvey'd  845 

The  fun's  pure  fplendcr  loft  jn  dowdy  (hade  ; 
The  fun,  their  god,  his  fmiling  f.ic?  withdrew, 
Awd  round  the  world  a  fearful  darknefs  fl 
Henc?  unapprov'd  they  deem'd  the  doubtful  day, 
And  fcann'd,  with  careful  looks  their  home*  aid  way:  85© 
As  thus  they  backward  gaz'd,  the  driving  rain 
&um'd,  with  impetuous  fur}',  o'er  the  plain j 


BOOK      III.  79 

Fierce  downth'  expanfion  dreaming  torrents  fnower'd, 
And  blood-ftain'd  brooks  along  the  champain  pour'd. 
Theclalhof  arms,  the  long-refounding  cries  8-:;- 

Wav'do'er  the  world  a  hoarfc,  tumultuous  noife  ; 
Frcm  heaven's  huge  vault  load-rolling  thunders  came, 
And  lightnings  blaz'd  infufferable  flame. 
Then  fad,  difhearten'd,  from  the  dreadful  fire 
Ai's  generous  leaders  bade  their  holt  retire,  86© 

keiu&ant,  flow,  difdaining  bafe  defeat, 
From  Ifraci's  fons  the  grifly  ranks  retreat  ; 
Surpriz'd,  fierce  Ifrael  fee  their  backward  courfe, 
Hang  o'er  their  rear,  and  prefs  with  gathering  force  : 
Jnienferihoutsafcend  ;  the  lightning's  fiame  $6$ 

Cafts  o'er  the  fhields  a  ftrong  alternate  gleam  ; 
Loud  thunders  roll  ;  the  fields  all  quake  around  : 
And  the  rain  rushing  roars  along  the  ground. 
Then  Zimii's  piercing  voice,  with  nern  commands, 
j.A.eitrains  the  fury  of  his  eager  bands.  2y& 

So  fierce  the  thoufands  burn  for  raging  war, 
Even  fingle  warriors  urge  their  foes  afar  ; 
'Till  near  the  chief,  they  fee  the  ftandard  rife, 
While  yet  the  temped  fills  the  midway  ikies, 
Then  deep-embofom'd  in  th'  obfeuring  rain,  S75 

Their  foes  untroubled  crofs  the  homeward  plain. 

Mean  time  the  winds  were  pafs'd,  the  ftorm  was  o'er, 
And  dreaming  torrents  ceas'd  from  heaven  to  pour  ; 
Strait  to  the  camp,  by  Zimri's  voice  compell'd, 
The  bands  flow-moving  crofs'd  the  fpacioas  field.         2B& 
With  joy,  the  chief  revolv'd  the  troubled  day, 
The  fate,  and  influence  of  the  fierce  affray  ; 
Ai,  in  fierce  conflict,  fail'd  the  wreath  to  gain, 
And  Ifraei,  dauntiefs,  trod  the  feirmim'd  plain  ; 
He  faw  the  hod  again  to  combat  won  §8$ 

Their  hope*  new£kindled,  and  their  trr-or  rone  ; 
Thence  his  own  bofom  boding  fear  difpell'd, 
And  promis'd  triumph  on  the  future  fitf  d. 


*o  BOOK     nr. 

And  now  the  Youth  they  pafs'd,  as,  with  fond  eyes, 
He  faw.the  varyia  rife;  890. 

To  him,  deep.pondej  the  :iorm  in  vain, 

Scarce  heard  the  pe&U,  or  ma;.  .:r::iaj  rain  : 

'Till  Ai,  retir'd,  the  doubtful  ftrife  refign'd, 
And  calsi'd  the  tumults  of  his  anxious  mini. 

Then  gentler  fcenc*  his  rapt  attentioq  gain'd,         89,5, 
Where  God's  grfat  hand  in  ...re  I       jnce  reign'd, 
The  growing  be  .:  foJernn  even, 

And  all  the  bright  fublimities  of  heaven. 
A*bo*e  tall  wefitcrn  hiiis,  1  fa 

Shot  far  the  fplendorsof  hi*  golden  1  9CO 

Bright  from  the  fform,  with  tenfb!         ft       frail'd, 
The  tumult  foften'd,  ap.c  the  world  grew  mild. 
With  pomp  tranYcendarft,  rob  ■  »nly  dies, 

Arch'd  the  clear  rainbow  round  ies  ; 

Its  changelefs  form,  its  hues  of  beam  divine,  90^ 

Fair  type  of  truth,  and  beauty  ;  endlefs  mine, 
Around  th'  cxpanfe,  with  thoufand  fplendois  rare, 
Gay  clouds  fail'd  wanton  through  the  kindling  air  ; 
From  (hade  to  (hade,  oBnumber'd  tine  tn  res  blend; 
Unnumber'd  forms  of  wonderou*  light  extend  ;  910 

]n  pride  ltupendous,  glittering  walls  afpire, 
Grac'd  with  bright  domes,  and  crownM  with  towers  offire. 
On  cliffs  cliffs  burn  ;  o'er  mountains  mountains  roll : 
A  bur  ft  of  glory  fpreads  from  pole  to  pc  t  : 
Rapt  with  the  I  very  fongfier  lings,  915 

TpjM  I  ;hj  and  claps  hi;  gliflening  wings : 

>       fa  new-born  green,  reviving  nature  blooms, 
And  fweeter  fragrance  fr  efliening  air  perfume 

mth  the  ftorm  withdrew  its  troubled  reign  ; 

ht  dimm'd  the  dufky  plain  ;  920 

Blacl  is  hid  the  ground  ; 

m.  i  'd,  and  l<  fs,  the  thunders  folemn  found  ; 
.    righter  dream, 
Orv,-  1  one  wide,  mantling  flame  5 


BOOK      III  3f 

Sy  turns,  o'er  plains,  and  woods,  and  mountains,  fpread 
Taint,  yellow  glimmerings,  and  a  deeper  lhade.  916 

From  parting  clouds,  the  moon  out-bfcaking  {hone, 
And  fate,  fole  emprefs,  on  her  filver  throne  ; 
In  clear,  full  beauty,  round  all  nature  fmii'd, 
And  claim'd  e'er  heaven,  and  earth,  dominion  mild;  936 
With  humbler  glory,  liars  her  court  attend, 
And  blefs'd,  and  union'd,  filent  lultre  blend. 

All  thefe  bright  fcenes  revolv'd,  his  raptur'd  mind, 
Withfweet  tranfition,  heaven  in  all  dtvirvd  ; 
Vv'h-re,  rourfd  the  pro!'pe&,  grandeur,  beauty,  glow'd, 
They  (hone,  the  grandeur,  beauty,  of  a  God  ;  93O 

Ooi  look'd  through  ail,  as,  with  refplende  ice  ray, 
They  rais'd.,  and  bore  him  from  himfelf  a\/ay. 


M 


3*        H        K 


CONQUEST     of     CANAAN; 


BOOK        IV. 


A  K  C   U    M  E  N  T. 

Morning.  Tribu  ajfemhlt.  Story  of  Aclan.  hm{ 
froth  Glbeon.  Story  of  Minat  fojkua  gives  her  tt 
It  m,  prince  ofGibcon,  in  Marriage  y  «nd  makes  peace  nx\:ta 
the  Gibeomtes.  Fea/l.  fojhua's  prayer.  Cloud dejeends 
en  the  tabernacle.  Elamfollicits  Iftfve  to  return  tc  Gibeon. 
Jojbud  cotijents.  Sports  of  the  Israelites.  Cer.ducl  tf 
llanr.iel.      Walls  built  drcund the  camp*      Story  cf  Helen. 


The     CONQUEST     of     CANAAN. 
BOOK     IV. 


NOW  the  third  fun  illum'd  the  azure  main, 
And  Ifrael  anxious  gather'd  on  the  plain. 
In  every  face  fufpenfe  and  grief  appear'd, 
Each  fon  was  doubted,  and  each  parent  fear'd  ; 
Brothers  on  brothers  cad  a  fide-long  eye,  $ 

And  trembling  fair-ones  prefs'd  the  riling .figh. 

Mid  the  wide  concourfe  great  Eleazar  ihone, 
The  facred  minifter  of  Heaven's  high  throne. 
White  were  his  aged  locks>  and  round  his  face 
Calm  contemplation  call  a  fjlemn  grace  ;  10 

O'er  his  pure  vefture  mining  unguent  fpread, 
And  breath'dthe  fragrance  ofth'  Arabian  made  ; 
Full  on  his  breaft  the  ftar-bright  Urim  glow'd, 
And  o'er  his  brow  bcam'd  Holiness  to  God.    , 

The  facred  rites  perform'd,  he  bent  his  way  15 

To  the  bright  dome  that  inock'd  the  riling  day. 
The  train  with  reverence  bow'd.     Around  his  head 
Red  fpires  of  lambent  flame  ferenely  play'd  ; 
On  the  clear  fplendors  gaz'd  the  crowd  around, 
And  deep  attention  hufh'd  the  fhady  ground.  20 

Now  in  the  facred  place  the  Priefl  ador'd, 
And  thus  his  voice  Jehovah's  fmiles  implor'd. 
O  thou,  whole  wifdombaiit  the  bright  abodes, 
Great  king  of  £1  n G s,  arid  fovereigfl  God  of  God 5, 


86  t     O    O    K      IV. 

Almighty  Father  hear  !  Let  grace  divine  25 

ohower  on  our  hoft,  and  cleanfe  from  every  fin  ! 

Thoufeeft,  Omflifcient  Mind  !  what  guilt  unknown 

Pollutes  our  race,  and  dares  infultthy  throne: 

'Ihou  feeft  ;  and  oh  may  thy  all-gracious  voice 

That  guilt  declare,  and  bid  thy  fons  rejoice  !  30 

He  fpoke.     A  ruining  found  of  winds  began, 
Sung  in  the  vail,  and  thro'  the  temple  ran  ; 
A  fapphire  flame,  unutterably  bright, 
Shot  from  the  gloom,  and  wrapp'd  the  walls  in  light ; 
The  dome  all  trembled  ;  earth  beneath  it  fliook  ;  3  : 

And  o'er  the  ark  a  voice  in  thunder  fpoke— 
To  Ifrael's  thoufands,  from  th'  Eternal  throne, 
This  mighty  mandate  by  thy  voice  be  known. 
Of  Judah's  race,  a  wretch,  by  madnefs  driven, 
With  impious  hand,  hath  dar'd  the  wrath  of  Heaven  : 
Stones  fhaU  his  houfe  d&ftroy,  and  flames  devour ;         4! 
)  am  commands;  let  all  my  fons  adore.— 
Nor  more  ;  an  awful  darknefs  round  him  fpread, 
Still  as  the  gloomy  manfions  of  the  dead. 

All  fad,  a!i  flow,  return'd  the  mournful  priefl,  45 

And  flrong  impatience  every  eye  exprefs'd— 
What  the  decree  of  Heaven  !   the  Leader  cried— 
With  folemn  voice,  the  facred  Seer  replied  — 
Of  Judah's  race,  a  wretch,  bv  madnefs  driven, 
With  impious  hand,  hath  dar'd  the  wrath  of  Heaven 
^tcnes  fhall  his  houfe  deflroy,  and  flames  devour  ;  51 

)  a  U   commands ;   let  all  his  fons  adore. 

He  fpoke  ;  and  forrow  glocm'd  the  plain  :  in  hafle, 
iftiua's  voice  decreed,  the  lots  were  call ; 
The  wretch,  fo  long  ccncenl'd,  arofe  to  view,  rr 

^p'^  Acba  .trful  vengeance  drew* 

from  the  crowd,  with  languid  flcp^an  J  flow, 
::imflrode,and  look'd  unuttcr'd  woe; 
3  lis  ufelefi  hands  h  hv  his  fide  ; 

totteriig  knee  d  denied ;  Co 


BOOK      IV.  8/ 

His  front  was  clouded  with  a  wild  difmay  ; 
For  haflening  ruin  darken'd  o'er  his  way. 

And  thus  the  youth  forlorn— My  hated  name 
Sinks  in  the  milery  of  undying  lhame,  - 
Pafs'd  is  the  day  of  grace  ;  my  dimmed  light  65 

Fades  in  the  feirt  of  everlailing  night. 
From  the  rich  fpoils  my  hand  a  flore  convey M, 
Help'd  by  the  night,  and  fafe  in  covert  laid. 
Beneath  my  tent  the  mifctoief  may  be  found, 
Where  fpreads  the  flooring  o'er  the  fecret  ground.  -1 

Why  did  my  hearjt  refill  that  lovely  fair,   * 
Who  fweetly  warn'd  me  of  the  tempting  fnare  ? 
Hear,  all  ye  warriors !   fly  the  fatal  road, 
And  learn,  that  vengeance  waits  the  foes  of  God  ! 

Great  Jofhua  heard  ;   and  tho'  his  feeling  mind         75 
To  crimes  was  gentle,  and  to  miiery  kind  ; 
Fierce  on  the  youth  he  cad  a  dreadful  eye, 
That  wither'd  ail  his  ftrength,  and  bade  him  die. 
And  could  no  honour,  and  no  law,  controul 
The  groveling  wifhes  of  thy  gloomy  foul  ?  So 

How  durft  thou,  impious,  face  th'  Almighty  rod, 
Put  forth  rebellious  hands  and  ileal  from  God  ? 
Didfl  thou  not  know,  weak  man  !  th*  avenging  Sky 
Trac'd  thy  dark  footfleps  with  all-fearching  eye  r" 
Didft  thou  not  fear,  amidft  the  gloomy  deed,  85 

Its  vengeance  burfting  on  thy  guilty  head  ? 
Didft  thou  not  fear  the  flings  of  confeious  fhame  ? 
The  thunder's  terror  ;  or  the  lightning's  flame  ? 
Go,  raife  to  Heaven  the  fad,  repenting  eye, 
A  Heaven  that  hears,  when  Mifery  lifts  her  cry  !  90 

Perhaps  foft  Mercy  yet  may  lend  an  ear, 
While  thy  fun  glimmers  in  his  1  all  career. 
Not  pity's  wiih,  but  folly's,  hides  from  view 
The  wretch,  whom  Juflice'  awful  f^et  purfue. 
Go  then,  unpardon'd,  fink  in  (hame  forlorn,  5:5 

Of  Heaven  the  victim,  and  of  earth  the  fcorn  ; 


S2  BOOK      IV. 

A  warning  lamp,  o'er  guilt's  benighted  way, 
To  light  bewiider'd  error  back  to  day. 

He  fpoke.     The  victim,  with  dread  horror  pale, 
Walk'd  trembling  onward  to  a  diftant  vale  :  ioo 

His  look  of  anguiih  afk'd  a  hand  to  fave, 
And  Pity's  eye  parfued  him  to  the  grave. 

Mean  time  around  th<:ir  Chief  the  princes  Mood, 
And  kind  companion  in  their  bofoms  glow'd  : 
When  rob'd  in  fair  attire,  two  flrangers  came,  loj 

And  bow'd  refpe&ful,  at  the  Hero's  name. 
One,  pafs'd  his  ftrength,  was  grae'd  with  manly  fears, 
Crown  of  the  brave,  and  palm  of  glorious  wars ; 
T2II  was  his  frame,  his  countenance  roughly  kind, 
And  his  calm  front  with  hofteil  boldnefs  fhin'd.  1  ie 

3>efs'd  in  light  robes,  as  flowers  adorn  the  wild, 
In  nature's  prime  his  young  companion  lrnil'd 
Sweetnefs  ineffable..     Devoid  of  art, 
His  eye,  ibft-glowing,  look'd  the  friendly  heart. 

Hail  Grangers,  haii  !  the  mighty  Hero  cried,  1 15 

Whofc  port  befpeaks  a  nation's  fetreft  pride. 
Bring  your  kind  hands  the  peaceful  branch  from  far  ? 

Or  pant  your  bofoms  for  the  fate  of  war  ? 

The  elder  chief  replied—From  Gibeon's  king 

Our  friendly  hands  no  hoiiile  meflage  bring.  12« 

Tho'  once  in  fight  renowned*  now  filver  age 

Serenes  his  brow,  and  cools  ambition's  rage. 

'Tis  his  firft  qlory,  Gibeon's  weal  t'  encreafe, 

To  foothe  fad  woe,  and  widen  human  bliis. 

Pafs'd  are  five  morns,  fince  round  th'  extended  plain, 

With  .'on  ]  impatience,  rufh'd  a  chofen  train,  126 

O'er  rocks,  and  Itreams,  the  nimble  deer  purfued, 

Trac'd  the  wild  marfn,  and  fcour'd  theJevimis  wood. 

From  the  lone  -  >n^  of  the  unpiere'd  l' 

ering  ears    d  15° 

by  the  unknown  voice,  we  nimbly  hied 

Thro'  the  thick  grove,  and  fttait  the  fcenc  defcrieu. 


BOOK'     IV,  83 

*Twixt  two  rough  favages,  whofe  hungry  eyes 

.Lower'd  death,  and  ruin,  o'er  their  helpieis  prize, 

Fair  as  the  ftar  of  morn,  a  lovely  maid,  1 35 

In  pangs  of  terror,  call'd  in  vain  for  aid. 

Her  robes  embroider'd  loofely  met  the  view  ; 

Her  hair,  unbound,  in  wild  dilbrder  flew  ; 

All  pile  (he  flood,  and  to  the  pitying  flcy 

Stretch'd  her  white  hands,  and  rais'd  a  piercing  cry.     140 

la  vain,  on  terror's  wings,  the  caitiffs  Hew  ; 

His  eager  fword  this  generous  hero  drew  ; 

Their  heads  in  twain  the  fteely  vengeance  clave, 

And  hungry  vultures  yield  the  horrid  grave. 

To  Gibeon's  domes  we  led  the  beauteous  fair,  145 

Repos'd  on  down,  and  nurs'd  with  tendered  care. 
Pleas'd  with  our  pains,  her  fweet,  angelic  tongue 
Strange  truths  divine,  with  heavenly  mufic,  fang* 
Of  nature's  Sovereign  Lord,  the  tale  began, 
How  earth  was  form'd,  and  how  created  man  ;  1  50 

How  the  tall  mountains  heav'd  their  cloud-wrapp'd  fpires* 
And  heaven  was  ftarr'd  with  thoufand  thoufand  met. 
Then  too  me  told  how,  rous'd  to  fearful  ire, 
]t.hovah  bade  the  delug'd  world  expire  ; 
Thy  nation's  rife;   the  rod  of  Sovereign  power,  '         155 
That  ihook  proud  Egypt's  realms  from  more  to  fnore, 
The  cleaving  main  ;  the  wonders  of  the  wild, 
Where  hard  rocks  flow'd,  and  fands  with  verdure  fmil'd  ; 
Food,  fhower'd  from  heaven,  perfum'd  the  morning  blaft, 
And  quails  in  millions  peopled  all  the  wafte.  160 

In  thefe  dread  fcenes,  Aradon's  mighty  mind 
The  clear  difplays  of  boundlefs  powtr  divin'd  ; 
Scenes  nobler  far  than  ancient  fages  knew, 
Than  age  e'er  taught,  or  airy  fancy  drew. 
At  once,  infpir'd  with  eager  zeal  to  learn  j£- 

What  wondrous  truths  the  glorious  fcheme  concern, 
This  prince,  his  only  hope,  the  monarch  chofe, 
And  joia'd  with  me,  his  pleaiuie  to  diillde. 
N 


yo  BOO    S      IV. 

Sweet  peace  by  us  his  friendly  heart  demands  ; 

His  gold  he  proffers,  and  his  warlike  bands  ;  17O 

At  thy  requeft,  to  arms  the  thoufands  fly, 

With  thee  we  conquer,  or  with  thee  we  die. 

ShouMft  thou  confent,  fonie  bright,  and  generous  Sage, 

Fam'd  for  pure  manners,  and  grown  wife  with  age, 

Skill'd  with  unfeen,  yet  all-perfuafive  art,  175 

T'  inform  the  mind,  and  foftly  win  the  heart, 

Whofe  tenets,  nobly  raig'd  o7er  pride,  and  itrife, 

Grace  the  fair  conduct  of  a  virtuous  life, 

He  afics,  to  fpread  Religion's  facred  fway, 

To  lure  his  fons  to  heaven,  and  point  the  way.  iS« 

And  O  what  price  immenfe  canft  thou  demand  ! 

What  golden  hoards  ?  or  boundlefs  breadth  of  land  ? 

One  precious  prize  our  grateful  hands  refcore, 

Unbbughi  bv  gem*,  or  loads  of  Arising  ore, 

Jnthy  own  tent,  behold  thy  favorke  fair,  i9$ 

Chili  of  thy  choice,  and  darling  of  thy  care  ! 

Thus  fpoke  Harefhah.     While  glad  fmites  exprefs'd 
The  Leader's  joy,  he  thus  his  chiefs  addrefs'd. 
Ev  «i  new,  propitious,  on  our  lengthened  toils 
Behold  th'  all-watchful  Eye  complacent  fmiles  !  19* 

In  other  realms  our  growing  fame  is  heard, 

iumphs  number'd  and  our  Guardian  fear'd. 
But  fay,  brave  princes,  (hall  theft  bands  be  tied  ? 
And  Gibeon's  fons  to  Jacob'  ted  ? 

Shall  fome  blefs*d  fage  rife         195 

;ace,  to  truth,  to  vr 
Your  choice  1  •  -ofe, 

pofe. 

1  :      so« 
i 
Too 


BOOK      IV.  91 

AH  paths  with  him  were  fmooth,  that  Ihew'd  a  name,20t; 
Tho'  flaughter'd  nations  pav'd  the  road  to  fame. 
Thrice  rofe  the  chief  to  thwart  the  Leader's  choice, 
And  thrice  ftrange  faltering  feiz'd  his  opening  voles  ; 
Far  round  he  carts  his  keen,  experiene'd  view, 
And  peace,  the  wifh  of  every  bofom,  knew  ;  1  :  p 

With  fhame  his  dauntlefs  front  was  cover'd  o'er, 
And  the  cheek  blufh'd,  that  never  blufh'd  before. 

Pleas'd  the  great  Leader  faw  his  failing  eye, 
And  voice,  in  vain,  attempt  a  bafe  reply, 
Then  fmiling  thus— -Uutaught  the  wiles  of  ait  215 

I  fee  mild  afpetts  fpeak  the  friendly  heart. 
Yes  let  fair  Peace,  o'er  Gibeon's  happy  land, 
Raife  her  fweet  voice,  and  lift  her  facred  wand. 
'Gainfi:  hoftile  realms  alone  our  falchions  nie, 
Foes  to  high  Heaven,  and  victims  of  the  Skies.  22* 

But  far  remov'd  from  Iirael,  very  iar, 
Be  every  wifh  t'  extend  the  wafteof  war: 
To  footh  vain  pride  with  conqueiVs  dreadful  name  ; 
To  pamper  avarice  with  the  fpoils  of  fhame  ; 
To  take  one  hour  from  man's  too  hafty  doom,  225 

Or  force  one  widow  to  a  huiband's  tomb. 
From  death's  fad  fcenc;,  and  battle's  horrid  toils, 
The  real  hero's  genera.-?  mir.d  recoils : 
When  fwords  alone  can  plead  the  righteous  caufe, 
The  crimfon  ffeel  his  hand  reluctant  draws  ;  23a 

Grief  walks  his  partner  to  the  dreadful  plain, 
And  gloiv's  maniions  prove  the  haunts  of  pain. 

'Tis  Jfra  .  i  weal  t'  increafe  ; 

To  ftretch  the  reign,  and  nurfe  the  arts,  of  peace  ; 
The  fierce,  the  wild,  to  tame;   the  weak  defend  ;        235 
Late  to  begir:,  and  foon  the  ftrife  to  end  ;     - 
To  teach  vain  man  the  biifs  to  virtue  given, 
And  with  new  faints  r  enlarge  the  bounds  of  heaven. 
.  But  now,  brave  chiefs,  to  Joftiua's  tent  repair — 
IvJy  fond  heart  pants  to  find  the  lovely  fair—  24* 


$i  BOOK      IV. 

Her  fire,  in  Edom's  realm,  our  nation  join'd, 

Urg'd  by  the  dictates  of  a  virtuous  mind  : 

Her,  a  fweet  babe,  his  hand  indulgent  b-re, 

To  virtue  form'd,  and  nurs'd  in  facred  lore. 

As  fome  bright  HlJy,  daughter  of  the  morn,  2.t; 

Swells  its  young  leaves,  and  bids  its  fplendors  burn  ; 

Fair,  and  more  fair,  th'  expanding  beauties  glow, 

Dance  in  the  fun,  and  fhame  the  driving  fnow  ; 

So,  born  for  heaven,  ftiil  brightening  to  the  view, 

From  truth  to  truth,  from  charm  to  charm,  fhe  grew;  25* 

Soft  was  her  temper  ;  all  her  thoughts  refin'd  ; 

Beauty  her  form,  and  virtue  was  her  mind. 
Now  at  the  tent  arriv'd,  the  fair  they  found  ; 

"With  many  a  lovely  maid  incompafs'd  round  ; 

"With  fmiles  of  joy,  their  friend  the  virgins  hail'd,       2^5 

And  gentle  tears  on  every  cheek  prevail'd. 

When  firit  her  Sire  appear'd,  around  his  form 

She  cart,  with  fweeteft  grace,  each  fnowy  arm  ; 
Pleas'd  the  great  Hero  eyed  his  lovely  child, 
And  gave  the  fond  embrace,  and  o?er  the  charmer  fmil'd., 
Sweet  maid!  he  cried,  where  rov'dll  thou  from  the  plain? 
With  tears  we  fought  thee,  but  we  fought  in  vain.       262 

Far  in  the  wood,  replied  the  fair,  I  ltray'd, 
"No  care  dilturb'd  me,  and  no  fear  difmriy'd  : 
Charm'd  with  the  flowers,  that,  undiftinguiiVd,  fmil*d 
With  foiitary  beauty  round  the  wild.  266 

A  plum'd  mufician,  on  her  verdant  throne, 
Hymn'd,  with  fof:  tranfport,  to  the  falling  fun. 
Slow  I  approach'd  ;   the  bird  before  me  flew  ; 
1  heard  the  found  ;  how  could  I  not  purfue  r  27O 

So  long  I  wander'd,  day  forfook  the  fky  ; 
I  gaz'd,  and  gaz'd  ;   but  found  not  where  to  fly. 
In  cifierent  paihs,  1  roam'd  the  woody  plain  ; 
iat  faint,  and  trembling,  Hill  jeturn'd  again. 

M  243,  Hir,  ajtvui  ta&*>]     T!r.s  epUhct  is  given  mrrcly  ilrora 


B    O    O    *      IV.  93 

The  wolf  began  to  howl  ;  and  all  around,  275 

The  hungry  panther  {hook  the  (huddering  ground  ; 
Loud  roar'd  the  approaching  lion's  dread  alarms, 
And  death  rufh'd  by  me,  in  a  thojfand  forms. 

The  long,  long,  difmal  night  at  length  was  gone  ; 
And  cheerful  day  with  pleafmg  beauty  (hone.  2S0 

Kufh'd  was  the  world,  fave  where,  along  the  wood, 
Rung  the  foft  current  of  a  Giver  flood. 
Down  verdant  banks,  with  trembling  fteps  I  ftray'd  ; 
Each  breeze  alarm'd  me,  and  each  leaf  difmay'd  ; 
Till,  near  the  confines  of  the  lonely  ftrearn,  285 

R>  fe  two  barbarians,  as  the  tyger  grim. 
My  hated  ga^b  difpieas'd  their  lavage  eves, 
And  female  weaknefs  bade  their  lufl  arife. 
O  why  was  ftrength  to  mifcreant  villains  given  ? 
Why  lovely  virtue  left  unarm'd  by  heaven  ?  290 

Why  muft  the  helplefs  fair-one's  glory  Hand 
A  prey,  for  every  monger's  brutal  hand  ? 
Thus  mourn'd  my  heart  ;  when  Elam  rufh'd  to  fight, 
Clave  the  dire  foes,  and  calm'd  my  wild  affright ; 
At  once  low-whiiper'd  Virtue's  heavenly  friend—-      295 
Weak  are  the  fair,  that  heroes  may  defend. 

She  fpoke.     The  blufh  that  gives  the  brightefl  charm, 
Glow'd  in  her  face,  and  told  her  heart's  alarm. 
Skill'd  in  the  fcience  of  the  human  foul, 
Th'  experiene'd  Chief  beheld  her  pafiions  roll,  300 

Smii'd  at  th*  exprefuve  language  of  her  eye, 
The  dancing  bofom,  and  the  deep  drawn  figh. 

On  Elam's  face  he  turn'd  a  fearching  view, 
Trac'd  his  young  flame,  and  all  his  wiihes  knew. 
Oft  on  the  virgin  glanc'd  his  eameft  gaze  ;  305 

She  glance  for  glance,  and  blufh  for  blufh,  repays  ; 
Their  eyes  prove  faithful  to  the  melting  heart, 
Waft  the  fond  wifh,  and  all  the  foul  impart. 

Line  287.  My  bated  garb,)     She  wore  the  Ifraelitifh  alrefs. 


94  B    O     O    K      IV. 

No  pride  of  beauty  wak'd  his  young  defires ;  31® 

Nor  eye  that  fparkles,  fraught  with  lambent  fire? ; 
Nor  chee!:,  that  gaily  fhines  with  morning  glow  ; 
Nor  downy  bofom,  dipp'd  in  fpotlefs  fncw. 
He  figh'd  for  charms  of  nature  more  refin'd, 
The  Maker's  image,  in  the  fair  one's  mind  ; 
Such  charms,  as  found  in  heaven,  delight  improve,    315 
And  plac'd  in  angels  prompt  an  angel's  love. 

Thus  while  they  psus'd  ;  with  fvveet,  and  modeft  grace. 
Fear  in  his  eye,  and  blufhes  o'er  his  face, 
The  trembling  youth  began---0  Chief  divine  ! 
My  parent's  voice  thou  hcard'il,  difdain  not  mine.      320 
To  this  bright  maid  my  vvifhes  would  aipire— 
O  blame  not !   frown  net  on  the  fpotlefs  (ire  !--- 
Thou  know'ft  the  joy  her  virtues  yield  to  thee  ; 
Then  think  her  hand  were  paradife  to  me. 

Pleas'd  the  Chief  faw  his  eyes  with  fondnefs  (bine,  325 
And  mien  all  modeft,  -merit's  faithful  iign, 
And  thus— O  fair  1   'tis  thine  alone  to  choofe. 
Say,  muil  this  heart  fo  foon  its  darling  lofe  ? 
Canil  thou  to  Elam  yield  a  willing  hand, 
And  feek  a  guardian  in  a  diltant  land  }  33* 

With  voice  fincere,  unus'd  her  thoughts  to  hide. 
And  bofom  frank,  the  virgin's  tailing  piuie, 
Theguifc,  low-creeping  Cunning  muil  appiove, 
Pair  mark  of  worth,  ana  friend  to  1  irtuottt  love, 
The  maid  replied- --O  fire  !   'tis  blifs  to  me,  33; 

To  be  by  him  belov'd,  approv'd  by  tl 

The  Chief  return \\  ;   BJefs'd  heir  of  fpotlefs  fame  ! 
Thy  choice  and  wifdom  ever  afk  the  fame. 
Receive,  brave  Elam  !   Jolhua's  favourite  care, 
As  angels  virtuous,  and  m  Eden  fair.  34« 

Her  hand,  her  heart  mall  heal  rhv  bleed i ft g  mind, 
Warm'd  with  pu.^  love>IUtd  grae'd  *i»h  truth  rehVd, 
Thy  fainting  llrength,  thy  languid  eye  infpire. 
Improve  thy  joys,  and  wake  the  hero '1  lire, 


B    O    O    K      IV.  9f 

Charm,  with  foft  tendernefs,  thy  griefs  away,  345 

And  gild  alike  the  darknefs  and  the  day. 

And  thou,  brave  Elam  !  dill,  as  morn  returns, 

While  early  tranfport  in  thy  bofom  burns, 

On  firm  foundations  let  thy  fondnefs  reft, 

Nor  cold  indifference  canker  in  thy  breaft.  350 

Know,  all  the  vows  by  heedlefs  lovers  given, 

Though  oft  on  earth  forgot,  arefeai'd  in  heaven  : 

Then  let  thy  fond  connubial  aciions  mew 

Truth  was  the  language  of  the  lover's  vow. 

And  thou,  my  child,  to  Heaven  thyfeif  approve  ;  355 

Aft  all  the  foft  commands  of  duteous  love: 

So  fhall  your  lives  fereneiy  dance  away, 

And  blifs  unclouded  light  the  fetting  day. 

But  now,  brave  friends,  let  p.ieafure  round  us  roll  ; 

Enjoy  the  genial  feafl,  and  mare  the  bowl  ;  263 

Three  days,  with  me,  and  every  pleafure,  ftav ; 

The  fourth  glad  morn  mail  gild  your  homeward  way.' 

Thus  he.     The  feelings  of  each  grateful  brealt 
With  manly  dignity  the  chiefs  confefs'd. 
Jn  converfe  mild  they  fate.     With  bufy  care,  s6g 

Th'  attendant  train  the  cheerful  feaft  prepare  ; 
With  kindly  warmth  the  fmoaking  cauldrons  glow, 
And  fvveet  thro'  ether  rilir.g  odours  rlow. 

So  vaft,  fo  various,  was  the  Leader's  mind, 
It  rov'd  through  every  region,  unconiin'd  ;  -»$ 

From  fcenes  fublime,  with  foft  tranfition,  ran 
Thro'  all  the  duties,  all  the  weal,  of  man  ; 
At  once  his  friends,  his  race,  his  Maker,  {ervyd; 
At  once  his  own  domeiiic  blifs  preferv'd  ; 
In  nice  dependence  rang'd  the  fervant  train,  -•,- 

And  o'er  his  houfe  bade  beauteous  order  reign. 
Thro'  all  their  minds  Religion's  influence  ran— 
Men,  true  to  Heaven,  he  knew  were  true  to  man— 
Her  fons  he  chofe  ;  and  with  all-bounteous  fway. 
Rewarded,  rui'd,  and  led  in  virtue's  way:  ,g# 


c5  B    O    O    K      IV. 

Hence,  rich  return  orali  his  watchful  toil, 
No  murmur  pain'd  him,  and  no  houmold  broil. 
Peace  round  his  manfion  fhed  her  influence  mild, 
And  cheerful,  friendly,  each  domeftic  fmil'd. 

Now  the  lov'd  maid  had  'fcap'd  from  ra\age  bands, 385 
With  twofold  pleafure,  wrought  their  adive  hands. 
Sojuft,  fo  gentle  was  her  angel  mind, 
To  want  fo  bounteous,  and  to  all  fo  Wind, 
Her,  as  tne  Leader,  each  alert  obey'd, 
And  thought  it  biifs  to  pleafe  the  heavenly  maid,  5"^ 

Mean  time,  felecled  for  the  genial  fealt, 
To  Jofhua's  ter.tcame  many  a  princely  gueft  ; 
Their  courteous  hearts  the  nobie  Grangers  greet, 
And  hail  the  fair  with  gratulation  fweet. 

O'er  a  valt  board  a  wide  pavilion  fpread,  395 

\Yi:h  grandeur  min'd,  and  call  a  pleafing  made. 
There  fate  the  guefts  ;   there  cates  delight  the  ioul  ; 
There  wines  irfpiring  tinge  the  fpacious  bowl  : 
They  taile.,  enjoy,  ?.tid,  with  light  converie  gay, 
In  calm  oblivion  roll  their  cares  away.  40^ 

O'er  ali  great  Joihua  fnone,  with  afpett  mild, 
Checr'd  every  gueit,  and  with  lb  ft  fplendor  fmil'd  : 
Touch'd  by  his  eyes,  each  heart  with  rapture  glow'd, 
And  fweet  complacence  evcrv  faceo'erflow'd. 
So  round  th*  immenfe  the  fun's  broad  glories  ftream,  435 
Spread  boundleis  life,  and  pour  the  etherial  flame; 
Warm'd  with  pure  light,  the  golden  planets  roll, 
And  fmile  foft -beaming  joy  from  pole  to  pole, 
In  endlefs  pride,  at  beauteous  diftance,  rife, 
Swell  the  great  pomp,  and  g!ad  the  earth,  and  fKie*.    Ait 

There,  like  the  duy-flar,  beauteous  Trad  flione, 
His  fplendor<  leHcning  in  the  nearer  fun  ; 
Full  on  the  Chief  a  fparkling  eye  he  turn'd, 
And  as  hegaz'd,  with  bright  ambition  buru'd, 
M  irk'd  all  tne  glories  of  his  awful  face,  415 

His  iolerun  grandeur.,  and  hii>  muiciuch  grace  ; 


BOOK      IV.  9? 

While  hoary  Hezron  watch'd  with  boding  eyes, 
And  faw,  well-pleas'd,  the  future  hero  rife. 

There  too,  in  tranfport  brighten'd  Caleb's  pride, 
With  tears,  embracing  Elam's  lovely  bride  ;  4 20 

Yet  felt  foft  pain,  to  fee  her  favourite's  charms, 
The  deilin'd  treafure  of  a  Granger's  arms, 
To  fee  her  days  at  diftance  doom'd  to  roll, 
And  mingling  friendship  foothe  no  more  the  foul. 

In  eafy  converfe  pafs'd  the  hours  away  ;  42$ 

Each  face  fhone  cheerful,  and  each  heart  was  gay  ; 
In  glad  fucceifion  went  the  goblets  round, 
And  blended  voices  gave  a  jocund  found. 

Mean  time  throng'd  numerous  round  the  Leader's  door, 
The  ftranger,  orphan,  widow,  and  the  poor  ;  430 

Call'd  from  each  tribe,  by  Jofhua's  kind  command, 
A  rare-felt  joy  infpir'd  the  friendlefs  band  ; 
They  feafted,  fang,  and  in  the  dance  combin'd, 
Pour'd  forth  the  raptures  of  th'  oblivious  mind: 
Then,  moving  various,  o'er  the  camp  they  fpread,      435 
Each  blifs  imploring  on  the  Leader's  head. 

When  now  the  feaft  was  o'er,  the  fun  drew  nigh 
The  gilded  borders  of  the  weftern  fey  : 
Forth  to  the  temple  march'd  th'  illuftrious  train, 
The  thoufands  gathering  o'er  th'  extended  plain.        440 
From  a  tall  rock,  amid  the  filent  crowd, 
The  fuppliant  Hero  rais'd  his  voice  aloud— 

O  thou,  whofe  hand  illum'd  yon  rolling  fire, 
Stretch'd  the  wide  plains,  and  bade  the  hills  afpire, 
Rul'd  by  whofe  power,  the  liars  unnuraber'd  rife,  44.5 

And  fwift-wing'd  lightnings  flame  athwart  the  fkies, 
Storms  ride  majeftico'er  th'  etherial  plain, 
And  wake  the  fleeping  thunders  of  the  main  ! 
Empires,  at  thy  command,  arife,  and  fall ; 
And  flight  and  triumph  haften  at  thy  call  !  450 

Difclofe,  O  Power  Divine  1  thy  fovereign  voice- 
Docs  combat  pleafe  thee  ?  combat  is  our  choice— 
O 


$3  B    O    O    K    IV. 

Does  peace  delight  thee  ?  peace  alone  we  prize, 

Led  by  thy  will,  and  guided  by  thine  eyes. 

By  thee  this  land  to  Abraham's  race  was  given,  455 

'Till  funs  withdraw,  and  ftars  are  loft  in  heaven: 

Jf  now  the  bright  poffefiion  Cod  ordain, 

And  crowns  await  us,  on  the  erimfon  plain, 

By  fome  great  fign  th'  eternal  fmiles  difplay, 

And  point  our  footfieps  to  the  fierce  affray  t  46* 

At  once  a  hollow  wind  began  to  roll, 
As  diftant  thunders  rumble  round  the  pole  ; 
The  fields  grew  black,  the  forefts  felt  th'  alarm, 
And  fwifc  through  ether  ruftTd  a  cloudy  ftorm, 
High  heaven  all  trembled  with  the  dreadful  found,      4^5 
And  peals  on  peals,  convuluve,  (hook  the  ground. 
Far  round  the  facred  dome  the  darknefs  fpread  ; 
The  fun's  clear  fplendor  vanifn'd  in  the  fhade  : 
Red  flames  burft  forth  ;   the  confeious  mountains  nod, 
And  the  world  fmckes  beneath  th'  approaching  God. 

Jn  filentawe,  the  camp  afionim'd  flood  ;  47 1 

And  each  burn'd  fiercely  for  the  day  of  blood. 
Fix'd  in  Mill  wonder,  gaz'd  the  ftranger  pair, 
Andmark'd,  with  anxious  mind,  the  darkening  air, 
The  dome,  invelop'd  in  the  fable  fhroud,  475 

And  peals  deep-murmuring  in  the  hollow  cloud  : 
With  folemn  look,  each  freqnent  eyed  his  friend, 
And  felt,  inftinclive,  half-form'd  prayers  afcend. 

Mean  time  the  Leader  every  chief  commands- 
Two  dsys,  let  peace  refreln  the  fainting  bands;  4S0 
The  third  glad  fun,  awak'd  by  trumpet's  found, 
Shall  light  our  falchions  to  the  deathful  ground. 
Sleep,  hap!;  is  Ai !  thy  lall  returning  day 
Soon  gilda  rhv  turrets  with  a  pitying  ray. 
And  let  the  chief,  th'  important  charge  who  owns,       485 
Of  all  our  wealth,  our  Hives,  an-d  blooming  fons, 
Bid  a  Idng  trench  wind  through  the  tented  ground, 
And  guardian  walls  the  fpacious  camp  furrou-ad. 


B    O    O     K      IV  99 

He  fpoke.     With  joy  th'  attendant  chiefs  obey'd, 
.And  round  the  camp  the  glad  commands  convey'd.       490 
The  fqaadrons  ardent  wait  th'  appointed  morn, 
Cleanfe  their  blue  fliields,  and  poliuYd  coats  adorn. 
So  Jofhua  will'd  ;  for  well  the  Hero  knew 
How  glittering  fteel  allur'd  the  raviih'd  view  ; 
Thence  prais'd  the  chief,  in  mining  neatnefs  arm'd,     405 
Averfe  from  toys,  but  with  true  beauty  charm'd  ; 
And  thence  in  glorious  panoply  he  blaz'd, 
A  great  example,  acting  all  he  prais'd. 

Now  round  the  world  pale  Eve  her  fadnefs  threw; 
Still,  folemn  darknefs  cloudy  curtains  drew  ;  C.CX? 

Through  the  wide  camp  the  Leader  trac'd  his  way, 
To  lea-m  what  wifnes  markM  the  bufy  day. 
Ai,  full  in  view,  each  heart  to  combat  nYd, 
And  with  gay  profpects  every  breaft  infpir'd. 
No  thought  of  Egypt  boding  minds  embrac'd  ;  505 

No  childifh  fear  even  vulgar  fouls  difgrac'd  : 
In  deeo  oblivion  funk  the  painful  wound, 
And  fierce  impatience  hop'd  th"  embattled  ground. 
Pleas'd  the  great  Hero  heard  th*  exulting  ftrain, 
And  wandering,  Iiftening,  fought  his  tent  again.  51© 

When  now  the  morn  look'd  mildly  from  the  eaft, 
To  Jofhua  Elam  thus  his  voice  addrefs'd--- 
O  Chief  of  Ifrael,  crown'd  with  grace  divine  ! 
Let  health's  green  garland  round  thy  temples  twine. 
To  blefs  mankind  be  ftill  thy  lov'd  employ  ;  51  £ 

To  ferve  thv  Maker  ftill  thy  facred  joy  ; 
No  hour  of  thine  to  wafting  grief  be  given  ; 
Let  each  m  ore  brightly  roll,  and  antedate  thy  heaven  -1 
But  now,  his  years  impatientofdelay, 
My  hoary  father  hopes  our  homeward  way.  52© 

Indulge,  great  prince,  our  eager  wifh  to  beai* 
The  rapturous  tidings  to  his  longing  ear. 
His  foul  rejoic'd  will  faille  at  nature's  pains, 
Aud  life  flow  fvvifter  thiough  his  icy  velni. 


ioo  BOOK      IV. 

Bid  us  with  fpeed  our  deftin'd  path  refume,  52$, 

And  biefs  a  parent,  finking  in  the  tomb. 

He  fpoke.     Harefhah  join'd  the  youth's  requeft: 
Even  Mina's  eyes  a  fecret  wifh  confefs'd. 
Jn  love's  kind  heat,  like  ice  in  fummer's  ray, 
All  former  ties,  diflblving,  pafs  away  ;  533 

To  new-found  friends  the  foul  oblivious  flies, 
New  objects  charm  us,  and  new  paflions  rife. 
The  Hero  faw,  and  kindly  bade  depart 
The  lov'd,  the  long-loft  favourite  of  his  heart ; 
With  arms  impaflion'd  ctefp'd  the  bright-eyed  fair,      535 
Kifs'd  with  fond  look,  and  dropp'd  a  tender  tear. 
On  gay-drefs'd  camels,  toward  the  fetting  day, 
With  converfe  fweet,  the  lovers  bent  their  way  ; 
J. ike  two  fair  flars,  that  ihed  a  lonely  light, 
And  fink  in  clouds,  above  the  mountain's  height.  54» 

Two  feers  their  Heps  attend,  to  point  the  way, 
That  ends  in  mannong  of  uncharging  day. 

And  now,  o'er  all  the  camp,  the  rsjptar'd  throng 
Crowd  the  wide  plain,  and  wake  th'  enlivening  fong. 
Here  cheerful  thousands  bid  the  walls  alcend  ;  54$ 

And  broad,  and  deep,  the  lengthening  trenches  bend. 
Here  tneftrong  arm  the  falchion  learns  to  wield. 
Or  hurls  the  javelin  o'er  the  meafur'd  field. 
With  (bouts  of  praiie  the  conquerors  oft  are  crown'd, 
And  clanging  bucklers  fwell  th'  applauding  found.       ;^o 
Part,  join'd  in  crowds,  in  mimic  fight  engage, 
Range  their  fmall  hofts,  and  fport  with  teeming  rage  ; 
From  force  unequal  here  the  vanquiihe  fly  ; 
There,  with  deep  groans,  difi'emblinp  victims  die. 

Mean  time  alkwatchfnJ,      Hannic!,  round  the  plain, 
From  crowd  to  crowd,  in'pr'd  thebufy  train.  ecfi 

He  knew  the  plot,  fcc  generous  Youth  cifcWd, 
To  dark  fufpici  ttis  name  expot'd  ; 

To  wipe  difgrace,  his  influence  to  rec 

net  inaiiij  1  .  ail,  500 


BOOK      IV.  801 

From  tent  to  tent  he  urg'd  his  a£ive  way, 

And  blam'd  with  words  fevere,  the  wild  affray. 

Me,  cried  the  hero,  Ifrael's  thoufands  know 

A  fair  unchanging  friend,  or  open  foe. 

To  generous  war  fince  Ifrael's  voice  is  given,  5^5 

To  war  I  fly,  and  hope  the  fmiles  of  Heaven . 

Roufe  then  to  arms ;  for  glorious  fight  prepare  ; 

Each  thought  of  peace,  each  terror  vile  forbear  : 

Let  glory's  fire  each  warrior's  breaft  inflame, 

And  deathlefs  deeds  fhall  brighten  Jacob's  name.         57a 

Thus  he.     The  wile  the  thoughtlefs  thoufands  drew, 
Snar'd  by  foft  words,  and  caught  by  gilding  fhew  ; 
For  war,  invigor'd,  glow'd  th*  undaunted  mind, 
And  kindling  eye-balls  with  new  luftre  fliin'd. 
No  walls  they  need,  to  flay  th'  impending  foe;  575 

Yet,  with  light  labour,  fwift  the  barriers  grow  ; 
Hope  high  in  view  difplay'd  unmeafur'd  fpoil, 
Sooth'd  every  pain,  and  leflen'd  every  toil. 

As  thus  ferenely  pafs'd  the  cheerful  day, 
And  care,  and  grief,  oblivious  roil'd  away,  580 

At  once  fhrill  rang,  fromeaftern  woods  afar, 
The  cry  of  foes,  and  growing  found  of  war. 
The  fporting  warriors,  prompt  at  dread  alarms, 
C'eas'd  from  each  game,  and  brac'd  for  fight  their  arms ;. 
O'er  eaitern  fields,  with  rapid  fleps  they  hied.  58^ 

And  bands  conjoining  fwell'd  th'  embattled  pride. 

From  the  wood  flattening,  flew,  with  wild  furprize, 
Two  timorous  youths,  and  rais'd  lamenting  cries, 
With  trembling  voice,  they  faid- --Of  nought  afraid, 
Through  yonder  grove,  with  eafycourfe,  we  ftray'd  j   590 
A  favage  band,  by  twining  fhrubs  concealed, 
Burit  on  our  path,  and  half  enclos'd  the  field. 
Amaz'd  we  flew.     Snar'd  by  the  tangling  vine, 
Our  heedlefs  Partner  fell ;  of  Simeons  line  ; 
Helon  his  name  :  they  feiz'd  him  fallen  ;  in  vain        595 
Uplifting  cries*  and  bore  him  o'er  the  plain. 


joj  BOO    K      IV. 

Quick,  at  the  found,  a  warrior  rais'd  his  voice— 
'Tis  my  owii  fon  ;  the  fpring  of  all  my  joys— 
Hafte",  hafte,  brave  friends,  my  darling  Melon  fave  ; 
Nor  yield  your  faithful  Shall  urn  childlefs  to  the  grave. 
The  train,  infpird,  with  nimbler  footfteps  flew  ;  6ol 

Each  prefs'd  his  fhield,  and  each  his  falchion  drew  ; 
The  youths,  before  them,  fhew'd  the  fadden'd  way, 
Where  the  fell  heathens  bore  their  haplefs  prey  ; 
Where  the  clpfe  thicket  wrapp'd  the  ambufh'd  force,    6o£ 
And  bending  fhrubs,  and  footiteps  mark'd  their  courfe. 
Thence  the  glad  train,  with  eafe,  the  foe  purfued, 
And  hoping,  haftening,  fcower'd  the  devious  wood. 

Now,  where  all-anxioas  through  the  favouring  (hade, 
Their  haplefs  prize  the  heathens  fwift  convey'd  ;  610 

Weening,  ere  morn,  through  Orans  camp  to  bear 
The  youth,  with  tidings  of  th'  expecled  war, 
The  heroes  ruftrd  :  his  friends  glad  Helon  knew  ; 
Loud  rofe  his  Yoke  ;  the  warriors  eager  flew  ; 
While  the  bold  heathens  flay'd  their  ufelefs  flight,         6 1 5 
New-brac'd  their  fhields,  and  ftrung  their  nerves  for  fight. 

Shrill  through  the  woods  the  clafh  of  armsaroie; 
Thefe,  fix'd  to  hold,  and  fierce  to  refcuc,  thofe  ; 
The  foreft  ftrook.     In  front,  confefs-d  to  view, 
Full  on  the.heathens.raginig  Shailum  flew.  6z(b 

One  with  hit  lance,  fond  0  griding  fteel, 

He  flew:  the  victims  gave  *  hideous  yell. 
To  his  fon's  voice  he  wine \\  hia  furious  courfe  ; 
Nought  flayed  his  fpeed,  and  nought  withftood  his  force. 
Where  two  htfgq  heathens  ftrnggling  Helon  le  I,  625 

He  wildly  fprangj  one  flow  :   the  other  bled  :  ; 
With  frantic  joy  he  fei/.'d  his  rapturd  hand, 
And  urg'd  him  trembling  toward  the  Jriendly  baad. 
There  fcarce  arriv'd,  a  javelin  pierc  d  4ns  ncie  ; 
He  groan'd,  lie  funk,  grew  pale,  at>J  fainting  died.      650 
Aghalt,.his  darlings  fate  the  fire  beheld, 
TjK'n  rulh'd  delirious  round  the  woody  field  ; 


BOOK      IV.  t«S 

On  the  fled  heathens  ftretch'd  hisraging  conifer 

O'ertook,  and  fingly  drove  the  gather' d  force: 

Three  fierce  he  flew  ;  the  reft, in  devious  ways,  635 

Fled  o'er  the  field,  and  Tcap'd  the  hero's  chacc. 

At  length  return'dvwith  a  deep,  burfting  groan, 

In  flrong  embrace  he  clafp  d  his  haplefs  fon, 

Prefs'd  to  his  bofom,  bore  him  o'er  the  plain,' 

And,  mid  the  weeping  warriors,  fought  the  camp  agate; 


THE 


G  O  N  QJJ  EST     of     CANAAN, 


BOOK        V, 


Argument, 


Evening.-  lrad  and  Selima  <v:alk  out  on  the  plain  fouth- 
ward  of  the  camp,  aud  begin  a  cow  erf  at  ion  concerning 
the  nature  and  def gnat  ion  of  the  vifible  heavens.  Origi- 
nal fate  f  Man,  and  of  Creation.  Reflexions  on  the  fall 
§fMan.  Wifdom  and  benevolence  of  the  prejent  fyjlem 
afferted.  Threefold  fate  of  man,  emblematized  in  the  but- 
terfly. Fanciful  ideas  of  Heaven.  An  old  man,  in  the 
habit  of  a  beggar,  joUiciis  alms  of  lrad,  and  is  directed 
to  repair  to  Hezron.  The  old  mait  informs  him  that  his 
requefvoas  but  a  pretence,  and  he  came  out  bf  the  Camp 
to  fimulati  him  to  the  war,  and  ufes  a  variety  of  argu- 
ments to  accempjijb  the  defign.  He  retires ,  and  lrad  and 
Selima,  terrified  by  the  appearance  of  a  meteor,  return  to 
the  Camp.  Morning,  lrad  goes  to  his  father ,  and  <witb 
earnefi  jollicttations,  obtains  I  rave  to  go  out  to  tht  next 
buttle.  He  communicates  the  intelligence  to  Selima.  A 
tkoujand  young  volunteers  checfe  him  their  leader.  Even- 
ing. "Jojhua  fends  Zimri  nvtrh  a  body  of  troops  to  In  in 
Qwbujb  on  the  weft  ern  fide  of  Ai. 


The    CONQUEST    of    CANAAN, 

BOOK      V. 


NOW  funk  the  fun  beneath  the  weftern  main. 
And  deepening  twilight  (haded  every  plain  s 
To  the  known  tent  untroubled  Irad  fped, 
And  forth,  with  proffer' d  hand,  Selima  Jed. 
Through  fouthern  fields  they  trac'd  their  eafy  way,  £ 

And  love,  and  rapture,  changM  the  night  to  day. 
The  weftern  beam  decay'd  :  th*  expanding  Iky 
Spread  clear,  and  boundlefs,  to  th'  attentive  eye  : 
Scarce  fill'd,  the  moon  afcends  the  vaulted  even, 
And  (low  behind  rolls  on  the  pride  of  heaven  ;  10 

With  joy,  tV  unenvious  planets  round  her  play, 
Join  their  glad  beams,  and  fweil  the  mimic  day  ; 
From  ftar  to  ftar  the  mingling  luftre  flies  ; 
Unmeafur'd  beauty  clothes  the  lucid  ikies  ; 
Kufh'd  in  calm  filence  fiecps  the  world  ferene,  I| 

And  floating  fplendor  gilds  the  {hadowy  fcene. 

Round  the  mix'd  glories  of  the  fpacious  iky 
The  pair  inftinclive  turn'd  a  raptur'd  eye, 
From  fcene  to  fcene  with  rifing  wonder  ran, 
And  mild,  with  accent  fweet,  the  maid  began-—  20 

In  yon  broad  field  what  fcenes  of  glory  Ihine  ' 
The  bright  effufibns  of  a  fource  divine  ! 
Great  as  the  hand,  that  form'd  yon  lucid  way  I 
Fair  as  the  morn,  that  op'd  immortal  day  i 


iolt  BOOK      V. 

In  earlieft  youth,  when  firft  my  feeble  mind  25 

In  nature's  works  celeftial  power  divin'd, 

To  thofe  gay  regions  fancy  ftretch'd  her  flight, 

And  rov'd,  and  fported,  mid  the  gems  of  light. 

For  whom,  I  cried,  afcend  yon  glowing  fires  r 

What  favourite  firft-bom  of  th'  angelic  choirs  ?  3C 

Thofe  azure  curtains  ?  that  fublime  abode  ? 

A  tent  of  glory  forforae  darling  God  ! 

Say,  loveliefl  Prince  !  for  thy  fuperior  mind 

Walks,  with  fure  Hep,  in  wifdom's  path  refin'd, 

Why  rove  fo  far  th'  unnumber'd  flames  on  high  ?  3^ 

Why  cafl  their  endlefs  bcr.uty  through  the  fky  ? 

Is  yon  blue  frame,  that  limits  morn  and  even, 

The  fapphire  pavement  of  fome  nobler  heaven  ? 

Are  flars  but  gems  of  unborn  light,  that  fpread 

With  duft  of  gold  the  ilreets  where  angels  tread  ?  40 

Or  if  for  man  tfhtfe  works  of  glory  mine, 

for  earth-born  reptiles  furniture  divine  ; 

Say  why  To  ftrange  the  a&s  of  Heaven  appear, 

There fuch  bright  pomp,  fuch  wondrous  meannefs  here. 

The  Youth  return'd— Fair  as  thofe  lucid  eyes,  4c. 

All  lovely  maid  !  thy  bright  ideas  rife. 
In  vain  proud  man,  with  felf-applaufe  runs  o'er 
His  arts  of  Egypt,  and  his  Eaftern  lore, 
Thy  foul,  on  nature's  pinions,  takes  her  flight, 
And,  felf-inftru&ed,  gains  a  nobler  height.  50 

When  from  the  deep,  afcended  earth,  and  heaven, 
To  man,  fole  heir,  the  mighty  boon  was  given. 
Unlike  his  fons,  no  guilt  his  mind  deform'd  ; 
His  life,  his  limbs,  no  fierce  difeafes  itorm'd  ; 
Nor  death's  cold  poifon  pal'd  his  growing  bloom,  55 

Nor  knew  his  feet  the  journey  to  the  tomb. 
Young  beauty's  purple  fplendor  round  him  play'd  ; 
Immortal  Health  his  vigorous  limbs  array'd  ; 
Life,  eldeft  heirefs  of  th'  empyreal  fky, 
Sflul'd  on  his  cheek,  and  blofTom'd  in  his  eye,  Co 


B    O    O    K      V.  109 

ArrayM  in  cndlefs  light,  his  infant  mind 

•Shone  with  fair  truth,  and  glow'd  with  grace  renn'd ; 

Her  robe  {ky-tln&ur'd,  Virtue  round  him  threw  ; 

Unchanging  jubilee  his  pai'Iions  knew  ; 

Heaven's  living  lamp,  with  clear,  and  conftant  {bine, 

Sunn'd  the  pure  regions  of  the  world  within.  65 

Far  other  glories  then  arofe  to  view ; 
Parts  anfwering  parts,  and  beauties  ever  new. 
"With  ilrong,  bright  charms  the  heaven  angelic  min'd  ; 
The  varying  profpect  charm'd  tV  inchanted  mind  ;       7© 
Soft  drains  of  rapture  bade  all  ether  ring  ; 
The  gales,  all  fragrance,  (hed  the  light  of  fpring  ; 
From  ftars,  from  moonbeams,  life's  fweet  influence  flew, 
Infpir'd  the  ftreams,  and  glow'd  in  foftering  dew  ; 
Bade  with  ftrong  life  the  purpling  fruits  refine,  75 

And  warm'd  the  bofom  with  a  youth  divine. 

Then  reign'd  fair  Love,  th'  immortal  blifs  of  heaven  ; 
Then  focial  angels  came  on  clouds  of  even  ; 
Here  trac'd  new  wonders  of  th'  omnifcient  Mind, 
Strange  to  their  world,  and  firfc  on  earth  defign'd  ; 
In  countlefs  forms,  where  love  and  beauty  glow'd,         S© 
And  ftamp'd  a  rival  of  the  bright  abode. 

His  hand  fuch  nature  to  the  man  affign'd, 
Hi6  form  fo  temper'd,  and  fo  wrought  his  mind, 
All  gave  delight  ;  where  fpring  difplay'd  her  prime  ;    85 
Or  where  blank  winter  fro^e  the  defert  clime  : 
The  vale's  foft  pride  ;  the  flower's  etherial  form  ; 
The  mountain's  grandeur,  and  the  folemn  ftorm. 

Eat  when  foul  guilt  debss'd  the  beauteous  mind, 
The  fkies  grew  dim,  and  fickening  nature  pin'd.  9* 

With  converfe  fweet,  no  more  kind  angels  came  : 
No  blifsful  morning  fned  th'  eternal  beam  ; 
No  more  from  fla-r'y  realms  life's  influence  fell, 
And  peace,  and  Eden  bade  the  world  farewell. 

Yet  ftfll  with  clear,  though  faded  luftre,  glow'd         9; 
The  love;  the  greatnefa,  of  a  bounteous  Goo. 


ii9  B    O    O    K      V. 

What  though  cold  eaft  winds  wither'd  all  the  plain  ; 
Though  blafts,  and  mildews  fhrunk  the  golden  grain  ; 
Pale  evening's,  fkirts  the  froft,    and  damp  o'erhung  ; 
Air  bred  difeafe,  and  worms  the  fruitage  rtung  :  100 

Still  o'er  the  mountains  ftars  ferenely  rile  ; 
Still  the  foft  moonbeam  trembles  from  the  ikies ; 
The  fun,  fair  image  of  unborrow'd  day, 
Lights  heaven,  and  earth,  and  cheers  the  boundlefs  fea  ; 
Reviving  feafons,  crown'd  with  luitre,  roll,  105 

And  plains  of  plenty  glad  th*  expecting  foul. 

Thefe  fplendidfcenes  furprize  thy  curious  mind  ; 
For  worms  too  noble,  and  for  foes  too  kind. 
But  not  too  noble,  or  too  kind,  they  lhine, 
The  works  of  wifdom,  power,  and  love,  divine.  x  10 

From  morn's  gay  bounds,  to  fkirts  of  diitant  even, 
They  teach  the  hand,  and  fpread  the  name,  of  Heaven; 
In  beauty,  grandeur,  make  Jehovah  known, 
But  mark,  with  faded  charms,  a  world  undone. 
Yet  thefe,  could  man  the  common  blifs  purfue,  1 15 

Would  gentle  peace,  and  fmiling  joy,  renew, 
Light,  with  foft-beaming  hope,  the  cheerful  day, 
And  drive  grim  war,  and  cankering  hate,  away. 

Thus  fpoke  the  Prince.     The  tender  maid  replies, 
While  her  fad  bofom  heaves  unbidden  fighs.  129 

Fair  fcenes  of  blifs  thy  living  words  difclofe, 
Realms  of  gay  youth,  and  times  of  fweet  repofe. 
Oh  had  our  fire  !   but  hence,  ye  wilhes  vain  ! 
No  fancied  joy  mall  edge  retu/ning  pain- 
Vet  too,  toobiifsful  is  the  fond  employ,  125 
To  nurfe  gay  hope,  and  dream  unreal  joy  ; 
Abroad  in  fields  of  airy  light  to  roam, 
And  fly  th'  envenom'd  grief,  that  lurks  at  home. 
Ah,  had  the  fatal  fruit,  untailed  hung, 

:  blifs  had  brighten'd  !    and  what  y;lorv  fprung  !    130 
In  gentlelt  union  thefe  blefs'd  hands  had  join'd, 
One  wi.1i  inform'd  us,  and  one  foul  iiuwin'd  ; 


BOOK      V.  in 

On  fome  lone  hill  our  envied  manfion  flood, 

There  rich  perfumes  in  morning  breezes  flow'd  ; 

Sweet  Peace  around  it  wav'd  her  balmy  wing,  135 

And  Youth  unchanging  drefb'd  eternal  fpring. 

There,  O  blefs'd  lot!  each  innocent  employ 

Had  form'd,  and  cherifh'd  mild,  domeflic  joy  : 

The  walk  all-pleaiing,  virtuous  love  rerin'd  ;  139 

Our  flocks,  our  profpecb,  footh'd  th'  improving  mind; 

For  me,  the  garden  op'd  its  fpicy  bloom  ; 

For  thee,  Toft  vefturc  whiten'd  o'er  the  loom  ; 

Our  growing  blifs  the  fun  delay'd  to  fee. 

And  the  poor  heathen  been  as  blefs'd  as  we. 

Ah  dire  reverfe  !  while  round  this  field  of  gore,  145 

War's  hoarfe  rough-grating  clangor?  ceafelefs  roar  ; 

While  fons,  and  fathers,  in  one  hour  are  flaia, 

And  each  bright  youth  mult  tempt  the  fatal  plain  ; 

W'hile  the  fad  virgin  fees,  with  wearied  eye, 

No  hope  remains  her,  but  to  weep>  and  die  ;  i$# 

While  pain,  and  grief,  and  ha'lf-form'd  joy  invade, 

And  funs  gay-riling  fet  in  mournful  made. 

Kind,  tender  maid  !  the  fmiling  Prince return'd— 
The  haplefs  fall  how  fvveetly  haft  thou  moum'd ! 
Thy  voice,  all  mufic,  wins  the  raptur'd  ear ;  155 

Yet  more  periuafive  drops  that  melting  tear. 
But,  O  bright  maid  !  by  ftrong  affections  driven, 
Let  no  fond  wifh  oppofe  the  choice  of  Heaven. 
To  man's  firft  guilt  ten  thoufand  ills  adjoin'd, 
Writhe  the  torn  limbs,  and  agonize  the  mind  :  i6#> 

Pain,  famine,  toil,  thefword,  the  ruthlefs  wave, 
Care,  envy,  broken  faith,  lad  forrow,  and  the  grave. 
Yet  God's  high  acls  unerring  wifdom  guides, 
And  boundiefs  love  his  every  choice  decides. 
Hence  all  events,  and  hence  all  beings  right,  \St 

Bert  in  their  places,  to  belt  ends  unite. 
Hence  from  fmall  ills  unmeafur'd  good  mall  flow; 
Henec  joys  unnumber'd  fpring  from  every  woe; 


H2  BOOK      V. 

Through  the  vaft  whole  th'  eternal  glories  mine, 

One  great  I  am,  all-beauteou3,  all  divine.  i;e 

Thus  the  great  Prophet  lung  ;  and  oft  my  fire 
With  thefebiefs'd  truths  ray  tender  heart  would  fire, 
"When,  won  to  virtue,  on  his  lips  I  hung, 
And  leam'd  pure  wifdom  from  his  friendly  tongue. 

Heaven's  high  behelt,  had  faithlefs  man  obey'd,       175 
A  peaceful  earth  his  eye  had  ftill  iurvey'd  ; 
Mild  hours  and  feafons  foft  o'er  nature  run  ; 
His  fons,  in  millions,  fpread  to  lands  unknown  ; 
To  Eden's  bowers  the  filial  natittjs  come, 
HaiPd  their  great  iirq,  and  own'd'jj^ir  happier  home. 
While  from  his  throne,  iupteme  ofali  below,  181 

He  law  well-pleas'd,  his  m'rghty  kingdom  grow; 
His  fubje&s  children,    love  his  potent  fway„. 
And  one  vaft  houfhold  fpreed  to  everyfeu^^ 

But,  fprung  from  earth,  and  ItilKo'dHk  connn'dA     >  8fc 
No  fairer  blifs  had  flow'd  for  poor 
No  law  had  given  the  high,  ftupeiwfcus  claim* 
To  foar,  and  brighten  in  th'  immorl^WRajfce. 
Now  to  thofe  climes  where,  'twixtjdelight  and  pain, 
Expands,  untravers'd,  night's  eternal  ^*ialr£  19* 

Worrrfs,  bornofduit,  may  point  their  loft*  fray, 
And  feize  the  blifs  of  ever-rifing  day. 

Oft  on  the  flower,  embofonVd  in  perfume. 
Thou  feed  gay  butterflies  in  beauty  bloom  ; 
With  curious  eye,  the  wondrous iaiecl  fcan,  ioj 

By  Heaven  ordain'd  a  threefold  type  of  man. 
Firlt  from *h^  dung-hill  fprang  theihining  form, 
And  crawl '<$  to  view,  a  hideous,  lajlkjpme  worm  ; 
To  creep,  wirn  toil,  his  inch-long  jfcurneys,  curs'd  ; 
The  ground  his  manfion,  and  his  food  tbe  duit  :•  20^ 

To  the  next  plant,  his  moment  o'ejr,  h;  drew. 
And  built  his  tomb,  and  turnM  to  e^th  anew. 
Oft,  from  the  leaf  depending,  haEp&Q  feen    ^ 
Their  tombs,  with  goldbeditop'c,  aau  doihjdirrsreec. 


BOOK      V.  nj 

There  flept  th'  expe&ant,  'till  the  plaftic  beam  205 

Purg'd  his  vile  drofs,  and  bade  his  fplendors  flame. 
Then  burft  the  bonds  :  at  once  in  glory  rife 
His  form  etherial,  and  his  changing  dies, 
Full  on  the  lucid  morn  his  wings  unfold, 
Starr'd  with  ftrong  light,  and  gay  in  living  gold  ;  219 

Through  fields  of  air  at  large  the  wonder  flies, 
Wafts  on  the  beams,  and  mounts  th'  expanded  Ciies, 
O'er  flowery  beauties  plumes  of  triumph  waves  ; 
Imbibes  their  fragrance,  and  their  charms  out-braves  ; 
The  birds  his  kindred,  heaven  his  manfion,  claims,     215 
And  fliines,  and  wantons,  in  the  noon-day  flames, 

So  man,  poor  worm  !  the  nurfling  of  a  day  ! 
Springs  from  the  duft,  and  dwells  in  humble  clay  ; 
Around  his  little  mole-hill  dconi'd  to  creep, 
To  drag  life's  load,  and  end  his  toil  with  fleep,  22© 

In  filence  to  the  grave  his  form  defcends, 
And  waits  the  trump  that  time  and  natur«  ends, 
There  ilrength  imbibes,  the  beam  of  heaven  to  bear; 
There  learns,  rehVd,  to  breathe  its  fragrant  air  ; 
..Of  life  the  bloom,  of  youth  the  fplendor,  gains,  22$ 

"j  Vnd,  cloth'd  in  beauty,  hopes  empyreal  plains. 

hen,  wing'd  with  light,  the  deathlefs  man  fhall  rife, 
jjljail  through  yon  ftars,  and  foar  from  fkies  to  flties : 
See  heavens,  o'er  heavens,  beneath  him  leflening  roll, 
And  feel  the  Godhead  warm  his  changing  foul;  230 

Fi'om  beauty's  fount  inhale  th'  immortal  ray, 
And  grow  from  light  to  light,  in  cloudlefs  day  ; 
Mid  morn's  fair  legions,  crown'd  with  grace,  be  known, 
The  peer  of  angels,  and  of  God  the  fon. 

But  O  whatfcenes  in  that  far  region  glow  !  *"  235 

What  crowns  of  patience  !  what  rewards  of  woe  ! 

From  yon  tall  hill,  when  morn's  inviting  air 
To  woodland  wandering  lur'd  thy  chofen  fair, 
Thou  know'ft  how  fweet  gay  profpecls  to  defcry, 
And  catch  new  Edens  with  the  ravilh'd  eye.  240 

CL 


»?4  B    O    O    K      y. 

5n  living  green,  the  lawns  at  diftance  lay, 
Where  (nowy  flocks  mov'd  round  in  vernal  play  j 
High  tower'd  the  nodding  groves  ;  the  cliffs  fublime 
Left  the  low  world,  and  dar'd  th'  aflaults  of  lime  ; 
Huge  domes  heav'd  haughty  to  the  morning  fire?,        2$> 
And  the  fun  trembled  round  a  thoufand  fpires  : 
.All  heaven  was  mild  ;  and  borne  from  fubjec~l  vales, 
A  cloud  of  fragrance  cheer'd  th'  inchanting  gales. 

Such  pleafing  fcenes  if  this  drear  earth  fupply, 
What  fcenes,  what  glories  bloom  beyond  the  fky  !         ?:r 
There  with  ftrong  life  the  plains  immortal  glow  ; 
There  Beauty  bids  her  iireams  of  rapture  Mow  : 
There  changing,  brightening,  reigns  th*  extatic  power  ; 
Smilesin  each  fruit,  and  burns  in  every  flower; 
in  folemn  domes,  with  growing  pride,  afpires  ;  255  ■ 

Gems  with  fair  ftars,  and  robes  in  living  fires, 
Round  the  trees  wantons ;  on  the  monntains  blooms  ; 
Charms  in  new  fongsy  and  melts  in  flange  perfumes. 
And  O,  of  liquid  light  what  feas  extend  ! 
What  flues  impurple  !   and  what  ftirs  afcend  !  26% 

JiUt  ceafe,  my  tongue  !  nor  headlong  rufh  too  near 
The  fun,  that  kindles  heaven's  eternal  year. 

When  great  Mefiiah  fhall  thofe  gates  unbar, 
Where  grief  recedes,  and  pain,  and  deach,  and  war  ; 
Then  freed  from  drofs,  from  every  (lain  refin'd, 
.And  drefs'd  in  all  the  elegance  of  mind. 
To  her  own  manfion  fhall  thy  Soul  afpire, 
And  add  new  raptures  to  the  fainted  choir. 
With  love  divine  thy  heart  has  learn'd  to  glow; 
SmiPd  at  each  joy,  and  wept  at  every  woe  ;  2/# 

Jn  each  foft  flat  ion  amiably  (lood. 
And  fhewn  the  bright  ambition  to  be  good  ; 
The  beft,  the  lovelier!  daughter,  filler,  fricn.l  ; 
Thv  life  all  virtue,  and  the  heavens  thine  end, 
.Scarce,  of  thy  years,  can  blooming  cherubs  claim  z-y 

A  purer  conference,  or  a  fairer  name. 


B    O    O    K      V.  a 


Pleased  as  he  fpoke,  an  aged  Form  drew  near, 
The  moon-beams  whitening  o'er  his  filver  hair. 
HfL£  quivering  limbs  a  tatter'd  garb  array'd  ± 
A  ftaff  his  flow,  and  faltering  footiteps  flay'd—  28© 

Oh  youth  !  he  faid,  in  wealth  thy  lot  is  cad  ; 
Let  humble  Poverty  thy  bounty  tafle. 
Large  as  thy  treafure  be  thy  heart  to  give  ; 
Tkiy  bread  impart,  and  bid  my  children  live. 

Sire  !  cried  the  Youth,  to  Hezron's  tent  repair  ;     2§r. 
The  poor,  unfriended,  never  enter'd  there. 
To  mare  his  wealth  the  Heaven-fent  Grangers  come  ^ 
There  orphans,  beggars,  find  a  confiant  home. 
tt's  pious  ac~b  in  fweet  memorial  rife, 
And  prayers  of  thoufands  blefs  him  from  the  fkies.  2^ 

Return'd  the  fage.     To  life's  far  diftant  end, 
On  thee  may  Judah's  envied  blifsdefcend  ! 
From  Afher's  race  I  fpring,  nor  of  thy  fire, 
Nsr  thee,  fair  Prince  !  or  clothes,  or  food  require. 
My  higheft  wiih  the  gifts  of  Heaven  exceed  ;  zg$ 

Though  fmall  my  portion,  yet  far  lefs  ray  need. 

But  O  lov'd  Youth  !  my  faithful  counfels  hear; 
I  et  hoary  Age  command  thy  liftening  ear. 
i":  /  growth,  thy  beauty,  nobler  than  thy  peers, 
Vine  eyes  attentive  mark'd  from  earlieft  years :  go§) 

\  jaw  thy  limbs  in  fair  proportion  rife, 
And  thy  face  fmile  the  image  of  the  &ies. 
Thy  mind  all-lovely,  every  voice  proclaim'd  ; 
For  fenfe  diilinguiih'd,  and  for  virtue  fam'd  ; 
bounteous  and  brave  thy  heart ;  thy  tongue  difcreet;  3^ 
Thy  manners  courteous,  and  thy  temper  fweet. 

Oft  on  thefe  plains  when  gathering  armies  fpread, 
The  long  van  darken'd,  and  proud  enfigns  play'd  ; 
^bforb'd,  I  faw  thee  war's  gay  iplendors  view, 
Tracethe  deep  nles,  and  moving  chiefs  purfue  ;  31V 

faw  the  martial  flame  infiin&ive  rife, 
A.nd-^rov»ing  lightnings  tremble  in  thine  e)cs  ; 


-ii6  BOOK      V. 

I  faw,  and  fmil'd  ;  and  Ifrael's  voice  approv'd, 
That  deftin'd  empire  to  thine  arm  belov'd. 

Eut  ftill,  impell'd  by  flrong  defire  to  find  3 !  5 

If  Fame  well  fung  the  beauties  of  thy  mind, 
Ivvatch'd  thy  Heps,  when  evening  hid  the  main, 
AiTum'd  thefe  rags  and  fought  thee  on  the  plain. 
For  know,  fair  Prince  !  in  Truth's  unbiafs'd  flate, 
The  proud  are  little,  and  the  lowly  great,  320 

From  man,  man  claims,  of  high,  or  low  degree, 
The  courteous  manners,  I  have  found  in  thee. 

Now  o'er  thy  head  have  twice  ten  fummers  run; 
The  Youth  is  ripen'd,  and  the  man  begun: 
Thy  fhapely  limbs  are  finew'd  into  force,  325 

To  hurl  the  dart  ;   to  fpeed  the  nimble  courfe : 
Yet  on  what  plain  in  triumph  haft  thou  flood  ? 
When,  bold  and  active,  dar'd  the  ftrife  of  blood  ; 
No  fear  of  thine  attefts  the  patriot  wound  ; 
Thine  arm  inglorious,  and  thy  wreaths  unbound.  23* 

Should'it  thou,  when  Jofhua  fleeps,  the  fecptre  bear,' 
How  mall  thy  untaught  mind  conduct;  to  war  ? 
How  know  what  counfels  wifdom  bids  embrace  ? 
What  ftrength  to  arm  ?  the  ambufh  where  to  place  ? 
Where  on  the  field  to  ftretch  the  dreadful  wing  :  \ 

Or  with  what  words  of  fire  the  languid  arm  to  tiring  }   .  ' 
Rile  then,  brave  Youth  !   from  eafe  unhonour'd  rife  ! 
Let  fun-bright  glory  tempt  thine  eager  eyes  ! 
When  next  approaching  combat  threats  the  field 
Seize  the  flrong  lance,  ar,d  grafp  the  flickering  fhield; 
If  Hezron  grant,  the  van's  \  n  claim,  341 

And  leave  the  foremoil  in  the  chafe  of  fame  ! 

HI  fits  vile  eafe  a  Prince  of  worth  divine, 
Whofe  countleis  graces  fair  as  angels  lhine  ; 
At  home,  unnotie'd,  ilretch'd  in  floth.to  lie,  34- 

While  friends,  while  fathers  toil,  and  bleed,  and  die  ; 

tine  323.  ]       i8  a  milbke  of  the  Sage. 


BOOK      V. 


**7 


To  fhare  the  fpoil.  f^^^^«- 

A  mean,  falfe  plunderer,  when  the  battle  s  o  er. 
Then  while  to  war  thy  bold  companions  run, 
WhUe  de  2.  of  glory,  wreaths  of  life  are  won;  35* 

On  the  dread  fword  while  Ifrael's  caufe  ufpends  ; 
While  empire  victory,  ruin  flight  attends  ; 
While  in  full  view  the  field  of  promife  lies 
And  the  brave  arm  (hall  win  *-  unmeafur'd  pn» ; 
Demand  thy  mare,  thy  (hare  of  danger  claim ;  3tf 

The  toils  of  danger  give  the  crown  01  fame. 
To  thee,  through  tribes,  through  nations  yet  to  come, 
Let  grateful  Ifrael  owe  her  profperous  doom  ; 
Her  endlefs  rule  ;  her  land  in  beauty  drefs  d  ; 
Her  ftreams  of  glory,  and  her  agesblefs  d.  ^v 

Thus,  in  far  diftant  times,  when  Jofhua  s  name 
Shall  pafs,  all-fragrant,  down  the  tide  of  fame  ; 
When  future  heroes  to  their  fons  (hall  tell 
How  Hezron  triumph'd,  and  how  Sihon  fell ; 
Combin'd  with  theirs,  thy  deeds  {hall  waft  along,         365 
Swell  the  glad  theme,  and  mingle  in  the  fong. 
No  fhameful  (loth,  no  dread  of  manly  toil, 
No  mean,  falfe  wifh  to  fhare  in  others'  fpoil. 
No  love  of  eafe,  the  generous  Youth  replied — 
To  tents  confine  me,  and  to  Hezron's  fide.  3  7< 

Far  other  wiih  my  glowing  mind  infpires  ; 
Fame  wings  my  thoughts,  and  war  my  bofom  fires, 
When  Glory's  fons  aflembling  hofts  array, 
Th'  extatic  view  bears  all  my  foul  away. 
My  pulfe  beats  high  ;  my  briftling  hair  afcends ;         37 
My  heaving  heart  a  thrilling  anguifh  rends  : 
Sighs,  prayers,  and  tears  confefs  the  growing  pain  ; 
But  fighs,  and  prayers,  and  meeting  tears  are  vain, 
By  love,  beyond  my  higheft  claim  impell'd, 
My  fire  conftrains  me  from  th'  embattled  field. 
Youth,  frowns  the  chief,  to  ruin  heedlefs  flies  ; 
From  arms  refrain,  'till  years  mail  make  thee  wife. 


sSo 


u8  B     O     O    K      V. 

Go  tell  thy  fire,  the  kindling  fage  return'd, 
Thy  hated  abfence  Ifrael  Jong  have  mourn'd. 
In  forceful  language,  a&  their  wondering  eyes,  385 

Why  funk  in  floth,  their  darling  Irad  lies, 
Their  voice  demands  thee  to  th'  important  plain, 
To  generous  toils,  and  glories  bought  with  pain  : 
They  pant,  they  burn,  to  fee  thy  glories  mine, 
Thy  falchion  triumph,  and  thy  garlands  twine.  39* 

Not  fame  alone,  but  duty  points  the  way, 
.And  truth  and  virtue  chide  the  dull  delay. 

This  faid,  the  Ancient  o'er  the  plain  withdrew, 
And,  fading  from  the  moon-*beam,  left  the  view. 

As  loft  in  filence  flood  the  wondering  pair,  39^ 

Orrnaz'd,  bewilder'd,  rov'd  they  knew  not  where, 
A  cloud  afcending  eaftern  ikies  o'erfpread, 
Involv'd  the  moon,  and  wrapp'd  the  world  in  made  : 
A  dim-feen  luftre  cloth'd  all  heaven  around, 
And  long,  black  fhadows  floated  o'er  the  ground.         4.QM 
As  deep  and  folemn  the  far  whirlwind  roars, 
Or  waves  run  rumbling  under  cavern'd  mores, 
With  murmuring  noife,  o'er  weftern  mountains  came 
A  broad,    and  dark-red  meteor's"  awful  flame: 
Far  o'er  the  woods,  and  plains,  its  fanguine  hair         405 
Scream'd  wild,  and  dreadful,  on  the  burden'd  air. 
As  eaftern  groves  its  leflening  light  abforb, 
Like  thoufand  thunders,  burfts  the  rending  orb  ; 
Wide-fhooting  flames  the  glimmering  fky  furround ; 
A  gloomy  glory  fpreads  the  twilight  ground  ;  410 

L&ud  o'er  the  world  a  long,  hoarfe  echo  roars, 
And  fad  Can;ian  groans  through  all  her  mores. 

Quick  to  the  camp  return'dth'  aftonith'd  pair, 
And  half,  in  broken  (lumbers,  loft  their  care. 
O'er  anxious  Irad  hovering  vifiODS  play'd,  41  c 

CalPd  up  fair  fcenes,  or  difmal  terrors  fhed  ; 
Oft  from  his  couch,  in  acl  to  fmite,  he  fprang, 
And  oft  his  voice  in  fhouts  imperied  rang. 


B    O    O    K      V.  119 

When  firfl  through  broken  douds  the  morning  (hin'd, 
In  purpofe  firm  he  fix'd  his  doubtful  mind  ;  420 

At  Hezron's  feet,  with  graceful  reverence  flood, 
And  claim'd  the  biemr.g,  e'er  with  joy  beftow'd. 
With  dawning  fmiles,  he  blefs'dhis  lovely  fon, 
jAnd  fweet  complacence  round  his  afpeft  fhone. 
Will  Hezron  bend  his  ear  ?  the  favourite  cries—        42; 
Speak,  my  belov'd— th'  indulgent  fire  replies. 

Thou  know'if.  my  bofom  feels  the  warrior's  flame, 
Sighs  for  gay  arms,  and  pants  for  generous  fame; 
For  Ifrael  weeps,  to  aid  her  caufe  afpires, 
And  burns  tumultuous  with  reftftlefs  fires.  4 JO 

W/ien  next  our  hoft  the  mining  falchion  wield, 
Blefs'd  fire !   command  me  to  th'  embattled  field. 
Youths,  o'er  whofe  heads  a  few  more  months  have  run 
In  fport,  the  peers,  the  rivals  of  thy  fon, 
In  glory's  bright  career  with  heroes  joia,  435 

And  their  fair  names  even  now  begin  to  mine. 
Grant,  beft  of  parents  !  grant  one  blifsful  day, 
And  threefold  duty  (hall  thy  love  repay. 

Why  doft  thou  bring— the  anxious  fire  replied— 
The  dread  requeft,  my  love  has  oft  denied  ?  44.0 

Why  muft  thy  fire  his  favourite  treafure  lofe  ? 
Why  will  thy  heart  the  path  of  danger  choofe  ? 
That  path,  conceal'd  where  various  evil  lies, 
And  the  brave  perifn,  white  the  daftard  flies. 
Mare  circling  fummers  have  thofe  youths  beheld  ;       44J 
Th'accuftom'd  ag«  commands  them  to  the  field. 
Scarce  nineteen  funs  thine  infant  eyes  have  feen; 
Secure  from  (hame,  enjoy  thy  hours  ferene. 
Let  truth,  let  wifdom  be  thy  virtuous  care  ; 
And  the  fweet  converfc  of  thy  darling  fair.  4c© 

Scill  with  thy  partners  draw  the  mimic  field  ; 
The  javelin  hurl,  the  heavy  falchion  wield  : 
So  taught  their  nfe,  fhaltthou,  when  battles  join, 
With  fairer  names,  with  veteran  heroes  mine  -% 


\2Q  B    O     O    K      V. 

In  marfhaPd  hofts  a  nobler  office  claim,  45$ 

And  ftride  more  fwiftly  in  the  chafe  of" tame. 

Return'd  the  favourite- --To  thy  faithful  (on 
Whene'er  thy  choice,  indulgent  fire,  was  known, 
No  counter  choice  unduteous  words  confelVd, 
But  my  foleanfwer  was  obedience  blefs'd.  460 

When  laft  mild  evening  clos'd  the  cheerful  day, 
O'er  fouthern  plains  I  trac'd  my  carelefs  way  ; 
There  as  I  gaz'd  the  works  of  Heaven  around, 
A  chief,  of  Afher's  race,  my  footfteps  found- 
Youth,  cried  the  hoary  fage,  the  changing  fun  465 
Beholds,  well  pleas'd,  thy  riper  years  begun. 
The  fcenes  of  dangerous  war  thy  breait  demand, 
And  thy  lov'd  nation  aflcs  thine  aiding  hand  ; 
Their  eyes  require  thee  on  the  hoitile  plain, 
Nor  let  a  nation  claim  thy  aid  in  vain.                          470 
Go  tell  thy  fire,  while  friends,  while  brothers  die, 
'Tis  fhame,  'tis  guilt,  in  torpid  eafe  to  lie. 
His  duty  bids  him  drefs  thy  limbs  in  arms, 
And  thine  ftrait  fummons  to  the  trump's  alarms. 
Hade,  virtuous  Youth  !   thy  nation's  voice  obey,           475 
And  fly,  where  Glory  points  her  envied  way. 
Ah  fire  belov'd  !   to  fhame,  to  fatal  fhame 
Yield  not  thy  darling  lrad's  opening  name. 
Think,  bed  of  parents  !  with  what  flings  of  gall, 
Contempt  and  fcorn  a  generous  mind  appall.                483 
Save  me  from  piercing  fcorn  ;  from  ruin  fave  ; 
From  daftards  fnatcli  me  ;  rank  me  with  the  brave  ; 
Thy  nation's  call,  more  loud  than  thunders  hear  ; 
Though  Irad  fail,  let  lirael  gain  thine  ear. 

With  anxious  look,  th'  unwilling  lire  replies,  a$z 

The  tears  faft-iheaming  from  rm  reverend  cye>'-— 
O  fon  belov'd  !   beyond  expreftion  dear  f 
The  ground  of  every  joy  !   and  every  fear  ! 
This  painful  tale  difpaits  my  troubled  foul  , 
And  bids  my  tears  in  Jarge  effufion  ro  1.  496 


B    O    O    K      V.  121 

How  can  my  heart  to  favage  war  resign 

My  wealth,  my  boaft,  my  glory,  all  that's  mine  ; 

The  child,  the  joy,  the  image,  of  my  mind ; 

The  beft,  the  only  trace,  I  leave  behind  ; 

To  prayers  long-tried,  all-fervent,  kindly  given  ;         495 

The  richeft  bounty  of  indulgent  Heaven  ? 

from  infant  years  thy  lovely  form  to  raife, 
To  lure  thy  mind  to  all  that  merits  praife ; 
'Gainft  fatal  fnares  thy  youthful  heart  to  arm, 
With  truth  illumine,  and  with  virtue  warm,  500 

Ten  thoufand  fighs  I  breath'd,  ten  thoufand  prayers, 
Watch'd  countlefs  nights,  and  felt  unnumber'd  cares. 
Each  opening  wifh,  each  rifing  thought,  I  fcann'd  ; 
Each  new-born  virtue  nurs'd  with  foftering  hand  : 
The  flower-etherialfaw,  with  rapture,  bloom,  505 

Glow  with  flrong  light,  and  charm  with  choice  perfume* 
And  each  glad  morn  beheld  my  praifes  rile, 
A  grateful  tribute  to  the  bounteous  ikies. 

As,  touch'd  with  joy,  thy  beauties  1  behold, 
Thy  limbs  invigorate,  and  thy  thoughts  unfold  ;  3  !« 

Thy  pure  complacence  eye  the  all-lovely  Mind  ; 
Thy  love,  thy  goodnefs  flow  to  all  mankind  ; 
Thy  aims  expand  beyond  the  flight  of  youth  ; 
Thy  tongue  unvarying  yield  the  voice  cf  truth  ; 
Thy  cheerful  bounty  make  the  poor  thy  care ;  515: 

Thy  fpotlefs  mind  affecl  fo  bright  a  fair  j 
Thy  fweet  obedience  every  wifh  foierun, 
And  my  blifs  double  in  my  darling  fon  ; 
Too  blefs'd,  I  wilh,  my  pains,  my  toils  review'd, 
Each  pain  repeated,  and  each  toil  renew'd.  C20 

But  chief,  when  that  bright  fair,  who  gave  thee  breach, 
Sunk,  pale  and  haplefs,  in  the  arms  of  death, 
Thy  hand  fo  gently  footrrd  her  long  decay  ; 
So  fweetly  guileful  lur'd  her  pains  away  ; 
Whole  nights,  whole  days,  fuftain'd  her  drooping  head  ; 
Dried  hex  fad  tears,  and  wacch'd  her  weary  bed  ^         c25 
R 


Uo  B    0     0    K      V. 

In  marfhal'd  hofts  a  nobler  office  claim,  45$ 

And  ftride  more  fwifdy  in  the  chafe  of  tame. 

Return'd  the  favourite- —To  thy  faithful  fon 
Whene'er  thy  choice,  indulgent  fire,  was  known, 
No  counter  choice  unduteous  words  confefs'd, 
But  my  fole  anfwer  was  obedience  blefs'd.  460 

When  laft  mild  evening  clos'd  the  cheerful  day, 
O'er  fouthern  plains  I  trac'd  my  carelefs  way  ; 
There  as  I  gaz'd  the  works  of  Heaven  around, 
A  chief,  of  Afher'srace,  my  footfteps  found- 
Youth,  cried  the  hoary  fage,  the  changing  fun  465 
Beholds,  well  pleas'd,  thy  riper  years  begun. 
The  fcenes  of  dangerous  war  thy  breaft  demand, 
And  thy  lov'd  nation  aflcs  thine  aiding  hand  ; 
Their  eyes  require  thee  on  the  hollile  plain, 
Nor  let  a  nation  claim  thy  aid  in  vain.                          470 
Go  tell  thy  fire,  while  friends,  while  brothers  die, 
'Tis  fhame,  'tis  guilt,  in  torpid  eafe  to  lie. 
His  duty  bids  him  drefs  thy  limbs  in  arms, 
And  thine  flrait  fummons  to  the  trump's  alarms. 
Hade,  virtuous  Youth  !   thy  nation's  voice  obey,           475 
And  fly,  where  Glory  points  her  envied  way. 
Ah  fire  belov'd  !   to  fhame,  to  fatal  fhame 
Yield  not  thy  darling  lrad's  opening  name. 
Think,  belt  of  parents  !  with  what  flings  of  gall, 
Contempt  and  fcorn  a  generous  mind  appall.                483 
Save  me  from  piercing  fcorn  ;  from  ruin  fave  ; 
From  daftards  fnatch  me  ;  rank  me  with  the  brave  ; 
Thy  nation's  call,  more  loud  than  thunders  hear  ; 
Though  Irad  fail,  let  Ifrael  gain  thine  ear. 

With  anxious  look,  th'  unwilling  fire  replies,  48^ 

The  tears  faft-iheaming  from  his  reverend  eyes  — 
O  fon  belov'd  !   beyond  expreflion  dear  ! 
The  ground  of  every  jcy  !   and  every  fear  ! 
This  painful  tale  difpaics  my  troubled  foul  , 
And  bids  my  tears  in  ]arge  efFufion  roil.  45 • 


B    O    O    K      V.  m 

How  can  my  heart  to  favage  war  refign 

My  wealth,  my  boait,  my  glory,  all  that's  mine  3 

The  child,  the  joy,  the  image,  of  my  mind; 

The  heft,  the  only  trace,  I  leave  behind  ; 

To  prayers  long-tried,  all-fervent,  kindly  given  ;         495 

The  richeft  bounty  of  indulgent  Heaven  f 

From  infant  years  thy  lovely  form  to  raife, 
To  lure  thy  mind  to  all  that  merits  praife ; 
'Gainft  fatal  fnares  thy  youthful  heart  to  arm, 
With  truth  illumine,  and  with  virtue  warm,  50O 

Ten  thoufand  fights  I  breath'd,  ten  thoufand  prayers, 
Watch'd  countlefs  nights,  and  felt  unnumber'd  cares. 
Each  opening  wifh,  each  rifing  thought,  I  fcann'd  ; 
Each  new-born  virtue  nurs'd  with  foftermg  hand  : 
The  flower  .etherial  faw,  with  rapture,  bloom,  50^ 

Glow  with  ftrong  light,  and  charm  with  choice  perfumes 
And  each  glad  morn  beheld  my  praifes  rife, 
A  grateful  tribute  to  the  bounteous  fkies. 

As,  touch'd  with  joy,  thy  beauties  I  behold, 
Thy  limbs  invigorate,  and  thy  thoughts  unfold  ;  31® 

Thy  pure  complacence  eye  the  all-lovely  Mind  ; 
Thy  love,  thy  goodnefs  flow  to  all  mankind  ; 
Thy  aims  expand  beyond  the  flight  of  youth  ; 
Thy  tongue  unvarying  yield  the  voice  of  truth  ; 
Thy  cheerful  bounty  make  the  poor  thy  care ;  515 

Thy  fpotlefs  mind  afredt  fo  bright  a  fair ; 
Thy  fweet  obedience  every  wifh  forerun, 
And  my  blifs  double  in  my  darling  fon  ; 
Too  blefs'd,  I  wifh,  my  pains,  my  toils  review'd, 
Each  pain  repeated,  and  each  toil  renew'd.  520 

But  chief,  when  that  bright  fair,  who  gave  thee  breach, 
Sunk,  pale  and  haplefs,  in  the  arms  of  death, 
Thy  hand  fo  gently  footlrd  her  long  decay  ; 
So  fweetly  guileful  lur'd  her  pains  away  ; 
Whole  nights,  whole  days,  fultain'd  her  drooping  head  ; 
Dried  her  fad  tears,  and  watchM  her  weary  bed ;  c  26 

R 


122 


BOOK      V, 


Like  fome  mild  angel,  fent  from  pitying  Ccies, 

Shed  dewy  (lumbers  on  her  languid  eyes  ; 

Jllum'd  the  grave,  feren'd  the  rugged  way, 

And  cheer'd  each  fainting  Hope  of  future  day  :  5^0 

Me  from  myfelf  thy  matchlefs  duty  Hole, 

And  chain'd  thee  lovely  to  my  inmoft  foul. 

Now  to  far  regions  is  that  parent  gone, 
And,  but  for  thee,  thy  fire  were  left  alone  : 
From  thee  remov'd,  no  fecond  felf  1  know  ;  5^3 

And,  O  blefs'd  favourite  !  folitude  is  woe- 

When  wing'd,  my  fweet  companion  trac'd  her  flight,. 
A  wildering  gloom  obfcur'd  the  cheerful  light  ; 
Each  joy  was  banifh'd  from  my  hap'efs  doom, 
And  not  a  wifh  remain'd  me,  but  the  tomb.  54» 

I-Ier  tent,  forfaken,  feem'd  in  (hades  to  mourn  ; 
i  fer  empty  feat  implored  her  blefs'd  return  : 
Friends  grac'd  my  board  ;  her  vacant  place  I  view'd  ; 
Down  rulh'd  the  tear,  and  every  pang  renew'd. 
Through  difta-nt  fields  I  roam'd  ;  the  fields  were  fad  : 
Ko  more  her  prefencc  bade  the  flowers  be  glad  :  54$ 

A  folemn  twilight  round  all  nature  fpread, 
Drear  a-;  dun  caves,  that  houfe  the  filent  dead. 
Alone  in  crowds  I  flood,  in  fields  alone  ; 
My  hope,  my  friend,  my  lovely  folace  gone.  55c 

But  thou  wail  left.     In  thy  angelic  face 
Sinil'd  her  lov'd  image,  glow'd  her  matchlefs  grace  : 
To  thee  I  flew  ;  and,  in  thy  duty,  view'd 
iler  power  to  charm,  her  wiih  to  blefs,  renew'd. 
That  peace,  the  world  bcfido  could  never  give,  55  - 

J  found  in  thee,  and  lov'd  again  to  live. 
'.'  po  rich,  too  great,  I  own  my  Heaven-lent  fiore  ; 
On  earth,  if  thou  may'll  live,  I  alk  no  more. 

Shall  then  thy  fire  that  dread  perfuafion  hear  ? 
Or  feel  the  urge  nee  of  that  forceful  tear  ?  /< 

Ah  !   how  can  Hezron  thy  lov'd  life  defirov, 
>icld  th'  iiifatiatc  grave  my  onty  jov 


BOOK      V.  123 

For,  O  fond  Irad  !  all  the  pride  of  Hate, 
Fair  dreams,  and  painted  bubbles,  of  the  great, 
No  real  joy,  no  gentle  peace,  contain,  565 

But  gay  deceit,  and  undifcover'd  pain. 
Whate'er  in  Wifdom  prompts  a  vvilh  to  live, 
Soft,  calm  domeftic  fcenes  alone  can  give. 
Should'ft  thou  be  fiain,  even  thefe  muft  cea&lefs  mourn  ; 
No  joy  betides  me,  and  no  hopes  return  ;  57a 

A  poor,  defpairing  flranger,  here  I  flay, 
"Till  Death's  loud  voice  mall  fummon  me  away. 

But  ah  !  to  combat  Ifrael  Irad  calls— 
The  piercing  found  my  firuggl-ing  heart  appalls— 
Was  all  my  blifs  for  IfraePs  weal  beilowM  r  5^5 

And  is  a  nation's  voice  the  voice  of  God  ? 
Go  then,  my  fon,  may  he  thy  bofom  guard, 
To  triumph  lead  thee,  and  with  fame  reward  ; 
Bright,  and  more  bright,  extend  thy  profperous  doom, 
Or  fpeed  my  footfteps  to  an  early  tomb.  5 go 

Thus  the  great  chief;  and  riling  as  he  fpoke, 
In  his  right  hand  a  fvvord  fufpended  took  ; 
Forth  from  the  {heath  the  blade  refulgent  drew, 
And  his  fad  eye-balls  kindled  at  the  view. 
Behold,  brave  yoath---with  earneft  voice  he  cried-—     585 
Thine  is  the  fword,  thy  fire's,  thy  grandiire's  pride  ; 
By  death  of  king?,  and  generous  chiefs,  renown'd, 
With  wreaths  ennobled,  and  with  triumphs  crown'd. 
When  Egypt's  fons,  on  proud  Sabea's  plains, 
By  Mofes  guided,  pour'd  their  countlefs  trains ;  590 

High  in  his  haughty  car  a  chieftain  rode, 
Bore  down  whole  troops,  and  roll'd  through  brooks  of  blood; 
Deep  in. his  bread,  while  thoufands  round  him  fell, 
Thy  generous  Grandiire  lodg'd  this  mining  Heel ; 
Then  ceas'd  the  fight ;  Sabea's  millions  fled,  595 

And  the  earth  groan'd  beneath  the  piles  of  dead. 

Line  580.     Egypt's  foot )     Seethe  account  of  the  event  referred  to 
in  Joiephu*. 


1*4  B    O    O    K      V. 

To  Jaha2'  deathlefs  field  when  Sihon  drew, 

When  combat  thicken'd,  and  when  dangers  grew, 

This  arm,  this  falchion  clave  the  monarch's  fide, 

And  low  on  earth  abas'd  his  impious  pride.  600 

From  Kezron's  hand  the  honour'd  gift  embrace, 
Dread  of  thy  foes,  and  glory  of  thy  race  ; 
And  while  thy  arm  their  weapon  learns  to  wield, 
Let  the  fame  fpirit  prompt  thee  to  the  field. 
Each  wildexceft,  each  ufelefs  danger  fhun  ;        u  605 

But  firft  in  virtue's  courfe  aufpicious  run  : 
Outftrip  thy  peers  ;  To  Jolhna's  height  afpire  ; 
Let  real  glory  all  thy  wifhes  fire  : 
Let  mine,  my  fire's,  my  tribe's,  my  nation's  fame 
Imbibe  new  fplendors  from  thy  added  name.  610 

Yet  not  one  fear  my  boding  mind  alarms, 
Left  Irad's  deeds  diftain  his  parent's  arms  ; 
1  know  thy  generous  mind  ;  and,  fore' d  to  yield, 
Aflur'd,  behold  thee  grace  th'  embattled  field. 
And  oh  !  wilt  thou,  whofe  hand  from  every  foe  6:5 

My  life  prefcrv'd,  and  footh'd  in  every  woe, 
My  darling  for.  defend  !   from  thee  he  came  ; 
Scarce  born,  I  gave  him  to  th'  eternal  Name  ; 
Thine  are  his  virtues  ;  round  his  youthful  head 
A  guardian  (hield  may  thy  good  angel  fpread.  620 

Thus  fpoke  the  chief.     In  Irad's  feeiirg  foul 
A  ftrangc,  tumultuous  joy  began  to  roll  : 
As  oft  t'  unfold  hip  grateful  heart  he  tried, 
The  fuffbeated  founds  in  filence  died.' 
Downdropp'd  the  fword  ;  and  flrait,  with  homage  due. 
The  Youth  enkindling  from  the  tent  withdrew  ;  C26 

Quick  to  the  lovely  fair-one  trae'd  his  \ 
And  flrove  the  tumult  of  his  thoughts  t'  allay. 
Her  in  th*  tent,  with  maidens  compafs'd  round,    ■ 
Sflecl  companions  ofher  fports,he  found.  630 

There,  fwectW  wclcom'd  with  inflinelive  fmile*, 
He  fmooth'd  his  face  with  new,  but  harmlefs wiles, 


BOOK      V.  las 

And,  while  foft  art  her  tender  mind  preparM, 

His  own  defign,  his  fire's  confcnt  declar'd. 

With  guarded  lips  he  fpoke  ;  but  dire  furprize  635 

Pierc'dher  fad  heart,  and .gloom'd  her  ftarry  eyes; 

With  one  deep  figh,  fhe  felt  her  ftrength  decay, 

Slid  to  the  ground,  and  breath'd  her  life  away. 

Quick  to  her  aid  the  Youth  impaffion'd  flew: 

And,  with  the  virgins,  bade  her  life  renew;  640 

Again  reviv'd  the  fplendor  of  her  eye, 

And  ting'd  her  cheek  with  health's  tranfeendent  die. 

O  beft  belov'd  !  with  tender  voice  he  faid— - 

Let  not  fuch  anguifh  wound  my  beauteous  maid  !  ■— 

Let  cheerful  hope  thy  timorous  thoughts  infpire,  645 

And  thine  eye  languifh  with  a  brighter  fire  ! 

When  o'er  my  head  a  few  {hort  days  (hall  roll, 
My  hastening  feet  muft  reach  th'  appointed  goal ; 
To  manhood  grown,  the  law,  from  heaven  reveal'd, 
Refiftlefs  calls  me  to  th'  imbattled  field.  650 

If  IfraePs  fons  my  falchion  earlier  ciaim, 
And  kindly  fummon  to  the  path  of  fame, 
Why  ihould'ft.  thou  mourn  ?  'tis  duty  points  the  way  ; 
When  duty  calls  us,  fafety  bids  obey. 

Thou  know'il  when  evening  laft  the  ikies  attir'd,     655 
The  fage,  reproving,  generous  thoughts  infpir'd  ; 
Firft  from  his  mouth  my  nation's  choice  I  knew; 
And  fwift  to  war  my  foul  obfequious  flew  : 
No  place,  no  hope,  to  vile  delay  was  given  ; 
The  call  of  nations  is.  the  call  of  Heaven*.  66& 

Led  by  his  voice,  I  trail  his  guardian  care  ; 
With  equal  cafe  he  faves  in  peace,  and  war. 
The  fame  good  hand,  that  thro*  the  woodland  made, 
To  friends,  to  fafety,  lovelieft  Mina  led, 
Though  thoufands  fall,  may  Irad's  bofom  mield,         665 
And  wing  th*  averted  javelin  through  the  feld. 

Thus  he,  with  Ccfteft.  voice,  and  fondeft  eye- 
Then  ltopp'd  ;  and  anxious,  hop'd  the  maid's  rep!y. 


)26  B    O    O    K      V. 

She,  plungM  in  grief,  andioftin  dread  amaze, 

Sate  filent,  folemn,  fix'd  in  mournful  gaze :  67? 

With  tendered  action  on  her  looks  he  hung, 

And  thus  vain  folace  tunes  again  his  tongue. 

But,  doom'd  to  fall,  fhould  Heaven  my  life  dema:  i, 
And  death  betide  me  from  a  heathen's  hand, 
I  fall  in  virtue'-;  caufe.      Far  harpier  do 
In  that  biefs'd  path,  to  find  a  fpec    . 
Than,  loll  in  fpons,  01  funk  in  fhai  1 
To  drag  a  worthlefs  life,  and  fwell  in  glorious  c.     . 
And  O  bright  maid  !  witLfut  one  guilty  fear, 
My  thoughts  can  view  lefiftlefs  death  draw  near.  63e 

In  that  far  clime,  where  joy  extends  her  reign, 
My  pinion'd  foul  fhall  fpring  to  life  again  ; 
Strong  with  empyreal  youth,  mall  trace  her  way, 
And  join  the  nations  of  immortal  day. 
Thence,  when  thy  form  isfummon'd  to  the  tomb,       685 
Perchance  my  fpirit,  wing'd  with  light,  fhall  come, 
Hail  thy  releafe  from  toil,  and  grief,  and  pain, 
And  raptur'd  guide  thee  o'er  the  tracklcfs  main  ; 
In  bonds  etherial  there  our  fouls  be  join'd, 
And  prove  th*  extatic  nuptials  of  the  mind.  690 

With  filent,  fad,  and  difcontentcd  air, 
And  face  averted,  fate  the  liftening  fair. 
While  the  deep  woe  her  feeling  boibm  mourn'd,, 
With  a  long,  heavy  figh,  me  thus  return'd. 
With  boding  heart  I  heard  the  fage's  tale,  695 

But  felt  fond  hopes  the  dire  defign  would  fail ; 
That  Hezron's  choice,  i'o  often  tried  in  vain, 
Would  ftill  confine  thee  from  the  fatal  plain. 
Yet  thy  lov'd  maid,  with  gentle  words,  defign'd 
To  change  thy  wifh,  and  footh  thy  eager  mind*  70s 

But  my  foul  trembled  at  the  dreadful  light, 
And  every  fenfe  was  loft  in  wild  affright. 

Now  to  dire  fate  my  fonddi  hope  mud  yield, 
While  empty  fan.e  allures  thee  to  the  Held. 


BOOK      V.  127 

Bat  O  blefs'd  youth  !  by  foft  rntreaties  won,  705 

Where  duty  calls  not,  hideous  danger  (hun. 

Let  not  thy  ardour  fame'-s  high  impulfe  feel, 

Tempt  nearer  fight,  and  try  the  deathful  Heel. 

The  fatal  front  to  veteran  warriors  give  ; 

Jb  thy  rich  boon,  thy  blefs'd  reward,  to  live.  716 

1  know  thy  bofom  burns  with  glory's  fire  ; 

I  know  what  vifions  war's  bright  beams  infpire. 

I  fear,  would  Heaven  the  caufe  were  lefs  to  fear, 

Left  thy  bold  footfteps  headlong  rufh  too  near  ; 

Left,  wing'd  with  zeal,  on  inftant  death  fhou  fly,         715 

And  leave  thy  haplefs  maid  to  weep,  and  die. 

For  ah  !   on  Irad  all  my  jovs  fufpend  ; 
Grow  with  thy  blifs,  a  id  witJi  thy  life  extend. 
Should  then  dread  war  compel  thee  to  the  grave, 
The  fad,  untimely  portion  of  the  brave,  720 

Whither,  ah  whither  can  Setima  fly  ? 
Where  find  a  friend.,  to  bid  her  early  die  ? 
Robb'd  of  thy  face,  the  world's  a  defart  drear? 
The  houfeof  pain,  and  grief,  and  cankering  care  ; 
Forlorn,  and  friendlefs,  life's  lone  path  I  tread,  723 

And  aflcnolot,  but  with  thefiient  dead. 
Nor  all  thofe  joys,  thou  know'ft  to  paint  fo  fair, 
Can  footh  fad  woe,  or  lighten  dark  defpair. 
With  thee  conjoin'd,  I  claim  my  only  doom, 
Alike  well-pleas'd,  or  here,  or  in  the  tomb.  73© 

Scarce  would  my  foul,  without  thee  heaven  explore, 
Where  the  firfijoy  (hall  be  to  part  no  more. 

Oh,  would  the  Chief  thy  anguidvd  maiden  hear, 
And  mark  thy  (lation  in  the  humbler  rear  1 
There  no  fell  he  tthen  would  thy  life  annoy  ;  735 

Nor  fatal  danger  threat  Seliqia'sjoy  : 
'Till  age,  'til'  art,  from  fare  experience  wo 
Had  taught  thee  caution's  every  wile  to  (hnn. 
And  then,  ah  then  might  peace  oui  days  ferene  5 
War  ceafs  tc  rage,  and  foes  no  more  be  feen  1  74^ 


1:8  BOOK' 

•      -    : 
A.       -:  ■  e  -.-.".    - 

1  -  ■-     

Meai 

C  -  u 

:  :  - 

: 
7 .:  s  : .:  -    : 
; 

■    ' 

:  - 

The  moon's  broad  ic 

■ 

..   _  . .  . 


BOCK      V.  12  y 


J-  glimmering  fteei,  a  long,  ref-iger.:  train, 
Strerch'd  in  juf:  files,  ar.d  daz-zied  a'l  the  r Is 
■  po  the  wend  their  fadii  g  frer  •  :hey  pre:"* 
The  Chief,  in  jiier.;  joy,  reur'd  :o  ref:. 


THE 


CON  QU  EST     of     CANAAN* 


5    O    O    K        VI, 


Argument. 

Morning,  Army  affembles  under  the  command  of  Hezrcn, 
and  fofoua.  Irad  jollicits,  and  obtains  a  poft,  in  the 
front  of  the  wrfern  divi/ton.  Orders.  Ijraelites  march. 
Army  of  Ai.  CharaclersofOran,andCarmi.  Battle. 
Feigned  retreat  of  the  Ifratlites,  HannieV  s  difobedt- 
ence,  and  overthrow,  fojhua  re/cues  him.  Signal  of 
return  to  battle.  Jojhua's  addrefs.  Battle  renewed, 
fcjhua  retires,  and  gives  Caleb  the  command.  Exploits 
of  Irad.  Exploits  of Hezron,  and  of  Caleb,.  Death  of 
Ltidon.  Oran,  Death  of  He  zr  on.  Exploits  of  Cam*. 
His  death.  Irad  rallies  jfudah.  fcjhua  defcends  to 
battle,  kills  Oran,  andputs  the  Heathens  to  flight.  Zim~ 
ri,  having  Jet  Ai  on  fire,  comes  out  upon  the  rear  of 
enemy.  Final  rout,  and overthrow  of the  Heathens .  /- 
rad's  dijirefs  at  the  fate  of his  fathsr.  Interview  of  /« 
rad  and  Helima.     M  vening. 


The     CONQUEST    op    CANAAN, 
BOOK      VI. 


NOW  dawning  light  conceal'd  the  world's  on  high, 
And  morn  in  beauty  cloth'd  the  cloudlefs  fky  : 
Loud  o'er  the  field  the  trump's  fhrill  found  began, 
And  fwift  to  arms  the  flartled  thoufands  ran  ; 
From  all  the  camp  burft  forth  the  numerous  throng,        5 
Shook  their  tall  fpears,  and  wak'd  the  martial  fong  ; 
Wide  wav'd  their  plumes,  refulgent  flafh'd  their  fhields, 
And  fpiry  banners  trembled  o'er  the  fields, 
South  of  the  camp,  in  two  deep  fquares  they  Hood, 
And  fierce  for  combat,  fac'd  the  plain  of  blood.  1© 

Before  the  weftern  band  great  Hezron  rofe, 
Joy  of  his  race,  and  terror  of  his  foes  : 
Averfe  from  pomp,  in  ufeful  fleel  array'd, 
Fieas'd,  his  iuft  ranks  the  mighty  chief  furvey'd  y 
Pleas'd  to  the  well-known  field  of  combat  drew  ;  1^ 

When  duty  call'd,  his  foul  no  terror  knew 

Of  equal  ftrength  battalions  eaftward  flood. 
And  high  in  front  exalted  Jofhua  ftrode. 
By  nature  fafhion'd  millions  to  controul, 
In  peace,  in  war,  the  great  all-moving  foul,  20 

His  mind  expanded  look'd  exiftence  through  j 
His  heart  undaunted  danger  never  knew  ; 


,56  BOOK      V. 

Go,  firft  of  youths,  defend  thy  Maker's  laws,  tf$ 

And  lift  the  falchion,  in  thy  country's  caufe. 
May  God's  good  hand  thy  tender  footfleps  guard, 
With  caution  blefs  thee,  and  with  fame  reward  '. 

He  fpoke>  and  kindly  raptur'd  Irad  rear'd  ; 
His  fwimming  eye  the  grateful  mind  declar'd  ;  loo 

Swift  he  return'd,  on  high  his  fhield  difplay'd, 
Shook  his  bluefword,  and  thought  the  fight  delay'd. 

Near  the  blefs'd  fcene  enraptur'd  Hezron  flood, 
And  life  ran  nimbler  thro'  his  languid  blood  ; 
Charm'd  with  the  kind  regard,  to  Irad  given,  iO£ 

He  kneel'd  to  earth,  and  blefs'd  all-bounteous  Heaven, 
That  Heaven  which  gave,  his  every  wifh  to  crown, 
The  Chief  to  lfrael,  and  to  him  thefon. 

Now,  rang'd  for  combat,  wait  the  warrior  bands, 
And  his  brave  leaders  Jofhua  thus  commands—  II© 

'Till  this  right  hand  exalt  the  javelin  bright, 
Let  every  rank  conduct  a  mimic  flight  : 
Slow,  firm,  and  clofe,  be  mov'd  the  fair  retreat ; 
Nor  wing'd  with  ruin  wild,  and  foul  defeat  : 
Meantime  a  miflive  death  let  arrows  rain,  1 1^ 

And  flings  unnnmber'd  tempeft  all  the  plain* 
But  when  the  javelin's  beams  in  ether  burn, 
Swift  to  the  fight  let  every  rank  return  ; 
Each  vigorous  arm  the  fword's  broad  terrors  rear, 
Or  hurl  the  vengeance  of  the  flaughtering  fpear ;  1 2# 

Urace  firm  the  fpacious  fhield  ;  difdain  to  fly  ; 
Rum  to  glad  conqueft,  or  with  glory  die. 

He  fpoke  :  o'er  fouthern  plains,  in  long  array, 
To  Ai's  high  walls  the  fquadrons  bent  their  way. 
Undaunted  Ai,  th'  approaching  florm beheld,  ic5 

And  rous'J  her  heroes  to  the  darkening  field  ; 
}\e.r  chitfs  command,  her  nurthern  gates  unfold, 
Bright  arms  burft  forth,  and  hofls  to  fight  aierol'/d  ; 

glootny  clouds,  the  blackening  thcufandsrife, 
And  (hrill-voic'd  clarions  thunder  in  thr  /kics.  I  \9 


is  o  o  k    vr;  ^ 

Two  warlike  chiefs  th*  embattled  heathens  guide. 
Their  forms  majeflic  cloath'd  in  golden  pride. 
Wrapp'd  in  blue  mail,  infufFerably  vain, 
With  cruel  front,  that  frown'd  a  ftern  difdairi, 
Around,  dark  Oran  caft  a  tenguine  eye,  133 

Wav'd  his  broad  fhield,  and  dar'd  th'  ayenging  fky. 
Grim  in  the  van,  with  lofty  flalk,  he  ftrode, 
And  fhook  his  fpear  diftain'd  with  drops  of  blood, 
JBlood,  by  his  hand,  in  ancient  battles  fhed, 
In  wafted  realms,  and  fields  beftrew'd  with  dead.'         140 
Sheath'd,  in  his  hall  the  crimfon'd  weapon  lav, 
Left  cankering  time  mould  cleanfe  the  ftain  away  ; 
There,  oft  retif'd,  he  turn'd  it  o'er,  and  o'er, 
-And  with  fierce  tranfport  view'd  the  purple  gore, 
There  call'd  to  mind  the  orphans  of  his  fpear,  145 

Smird  horrid  o'er  the  fcene,  nor  knew  to  drop  a  tear. 

Behind  him  darkly  roll'd  a  cloudy  band, 
Rous'd-to  the  war  from  many  a  diftant  land, 
With  various  arms  in  one  great  hoft  combin'd, 
And  various  banners  ftreaming  ori  the  wind.  1  c6 

'Gainft  Jofhua's  hod  the  chief  imperious  ftrode, 
And  with  fond  prefcimcc  hail'd  the  fcenes  of  blood  ; 
A  gloomy  fmile  array'd  his  maggy  brow, 
And  thus  his  horrid  joy  began  to  flow. 
Blefs'd  be  the  Gods,  who  gave  this  rapturous  hour  !     15.^ 
For  this  their  fires  fha!l  many  a  youth  devour  ; 
While  their  gor'd  children  bleeding  parents  view, 
And  tears  in  vain  their  lifelefs  forms  bedew. 
Warriors  rejoice  ;  yon  troop  forgets  the  day, 
When  Ai's  brave  fquadrons  fwept  their  hoft  away  ;      16c 
Soon  fhall  our  fpears»be  bath'd  in  brooks  of  blood, 
And  fields  grow  fruitful  with  a  g'enial  flood. 

'Gainft  Judah's  hofts,  inclos'd  in   burnifh'd  arms. 
With  matchlefs  bravery  and  unrival'd  charm?. 
Ai's  dauntlefs  fans  to  fijrht  young  Carmi  led,  165 

And  now  th?  helm  firft  fparkled  on  his  head, 
T 


IM  B    O    O    K    VI. 

Mov'd  by  his  ceafelefs  fighs  for  martial  faffie, 

His  royal  fire  the  parent's  fears  o'ercame. 

Reluctant  fent  him  to  the  deathful  plain, 

And  fondly  hop'd  his  lovely  ileps  again.  17^ 

There  pleas'd  with  fame's  imaginary  charms. 

He  clafp'd  the  phantom  in  his  eager  arms, 

On  the  biight  glories  turn'd  a  raptur'd  eye, 

And  gaz'd,  and  gar*d,  and  fancied  Mift  was  nigh. 

Now,  mid  the  grandeur  of  the  deep  array,  If 5 

A  dreadful  fpace  in  gloom  tremendous  lay  : 
No  banner*  wave  in  air,  nor  trumpet's  found  ; 
But  filent  terror  faddens  all  the  ground. 
Load  burft  the  clarion's  voice,  and  trembling  far, 
Shoot  the  broad  enfigns  o'er  the  frowning  war  ;  1  St 

As  thoufand  ftars  thro*  kindling  ether  ftream, 
Bright  mowers  of  arrows  caft  a  tranfient  gleam  : 
From  flings  tempeftuous  coutitlefs  pebbles  r; 
Whizz  thro'  the  ikies,  and  whiten  all  the  plain  ; 
The  fhrill  helms  clatter,  death  purfoea  the  r  1  85 

And  proftrate  heroes  clcrh'd  the  fprinkled  grour.d. 
So,  when  red  fummer  burns  the  fultry  pole, 
O'er  darkening  hills  a  cloud's  black  volumes  roll  ; 
Hoarle  rufh  the  winds  ;  hoarfc  drives  the  rattling  hail, 
Batters  the  eraggs,  and  tempers  all  the  vale  ;  190 

JDscp  groan  the  forerts,  torne  their  branches  fall, 
And  one  tumultuous  uiin  buries  a'!. 
Eje  the  loofe  combat  long  fufpenfe  had  hung, 
ff  Retire,"  the  great  command  around  them  rung  ; 
Then,  clofely  wedg'd,  recedes  the  yielding  fight,         105 
Ar.il  weH-feign'd  terror  clothes  the  mimic  Hight. 

I  rr.w'rd  their  .  -  ^rg> 

Their  bucklers  bl?ze,  their  flairiir  ,.ng  : 

Oft  they  rufh  "c's  retreat; 

I    1  Ifrael's  bod  dildains  a  fc  20t 

ks  behind  ufilHiznbcr'd  a1.      s  Inower, 
v    anuunibcid  cov,;;  the  I  OOTJ 


B    O    O    K    VI.  *$9 

Thick  fall  the  forcmoft,  clanging  arms  refound, 
And  ilreams  of  crimfon  die  th'  embattled  ground. 

Meantime,  fierce  Hanniel,  bjrning  ftilj  for  fame,    205 
And  fickening  fliil  at  Jofhua's  envied  name, 
Deem'd  this  the  deftin'd  hour,  to  pluck  the  crown 
From  the  Chief's  head,  and  plant  it  on  his  own. 
Oh  heaven,  he  cried,  fhall  Jfrael  ever  fiee, 
The  dupe  of  cunning,  and  the  coward's  prey  ?  210 

Mull  thefe  pain'd  eyes  again  our  ruin  view, 
Curfe  our  wild  counfcls,  and  our  follies  rue  ? 
Come  every  generous  chief,  whofe  bofom  brave 
To  foul  difgrace  prefers  a  hero's  grave, 
Join  Hanniel's  path  ;  and  foon  proud  Ai  mall  fee         215 
A  few,  bold  warriors  yet  difdain  to  fiee. 
Whate'tr  my  vo'ce  commands,  my  hand  mall  dare, 
My  deeds  unfpotted,  as  my  dictates  fur  ;  — 
Far  nobler  doom,  to  fall  in  manly  fight, 
Than  (hare,  with  titled  names  in  fplendid  flight.---  '    220 
This  fai  J,  his  courfe  the  hero  forward  bends, 
No  chief  applauds  him,  and  no  chief  attends  : 
Two  vulgar   warriors,  fad  rebuff  to  pride  1 
Alone  rum  on,  and  clamour  at  his  fide. 
Their  daunt'efs  courfe  their  rantur'd  foes  defcry,  225 

And  well-aim'd  lances  glitter  thro'  the  fky  ; 
Thick  round  the  warriors,  finks  the  biffing  fteel, 
And  death's  cold  hand  the  brave  attendants  feel  ; 
fa  Hanniel's  thigh  expands  a  painful  wound, 
And  the  ftunn'd  hero  racing  bites  the  ground.  230 

Swift  to  his  aid,  impaiTion'd,  joiliua  fiew,- 
Tho'  well  proud  Hanniel's  dark  defigns  he  knew, 
Heard  all  the  vaunts,  the  dole  iinniiice  faw, 
And  felt  th'  infractions  of  his  prudent  law  : 
Yet  now  the  chief  lay  weltering  in  his  gore  ;  235 

Foes  in  diftrefs  to  him  were  tees  no  more— 
O'er  the  pale  form  he  threw  his  guardian  fhield, 
And  bore  him  languid  thro:  the  dreadiui  rieid  : 


r|3  BOOK      VI. 

Thick  mower  the  Hones,  the  flaming  javelins  fing  ; 
And  his  bright  arms  with  ceafelefs  murmurs  ring.         24C 
Borne  by  four  warriors  o'er  the  difhnt  plain, 
Relu&ant  Hanniel  fought  the  camp  again  : 
There  friendly  plants  his  dying  ftrength  renew, 
And  fleep's  foft  influence  aids  the  balmy  dew. 
While  Jofhua  thus— Hence  taught,  ye  warriors,  kno\v,245 
Wild,  headftorng  wiflies  guide  to  certain  woe, 
In  peace,  laws  only  claim  a  righteous  fway ; 
In  war,  one  voice  commands,  the  reft  obey. 
Proud  difobedience  Heaven  configns  to  mame  j 
The  path  of  duty  leads  alone  to  fame.  25c 

He  fpoke— With  awe  the  filent  fquadrons  heard, 
The  precept  reverenc'd,  and  the  teacher  fear'd  ; 
Each  faw,  abam'd,  the  terrors  of  his  frown, 
And  pleas'd,  condemned  rebellion,  not  his  own. 

Meantime,  brave  lrad,  on  the  weilern  plain,  25  j 

With  pangs  retir'd  from  Ai's  contemptuous  train. 
As  oft  th'  imperious  taunt  his  rage  infpires, 
And  his  fcorch'd  bofom  flames  with  eager  fires, 
Their  utmoft  llrength  his  vengeance  promps  to  try, 
He  longs,  he  pants,  to  bid  th'  infulters  fly  :  260 

Qft  toward  the  hoft  his  courfe  inftin&ive  turns  ; 
His  drawn  fword  trembles,  and  his  buckler  burns  ; 
But  ftill  his  foul,  in  child-hood  taught  t'  obey, 
Re/trains  the  wiili,  and  backward  turns  his  way. 

Now  with  pure  fplendor  glow'd  meridian  light,        265 
And  Ai  triumphant  cnas'd  th'  imagin'd  flight, 
When  pay  in  dazzling  arms,  great  jolhua  turn'd  : 
His  eyeballs  fparkled,  and  his  bofom  burn'd  : 
The  flittering  lance  his  mighty  hand  uprear'd  : 
Loud  rofe  his  voice,  and  diilant  fquadrons  fear'd.         270 
Ijthold,  he  cried,  yon  fheets  of  fmoke  aicend  ! 
What  heavy  volumes  round  the  &ies  extend  ! 
JJrave  /itnri's  conquering  arm,  while  Heaven  inspire? j 
is  Ai*i  proud  portaljj  and  her  Luricu  firci  ; 


BOOK    VI.  14I 

Now  wheel  your  courfe<$  to  active  vengeance  fpring :  275 

Brace  the  Itrong  hand  ;  the  bloody  falchion  wing  ; 

See,  Heaven's  propitious  finger  points  the  way  I 

Fear  chains  their  limbs,  and  terror  yields  the  prey  ; 

O'er  our  glad  courfe  commencing  grory  (miles. 

And  boundlefs  treafures  crown  triumphant  toils.  28a 

He  fpoke  ;  the  warriors  eyed  th'  exalted  fign  ; 
And  thrilling  bofoms  own'd  the  voice  divine  ; 
Swift  wheel'd,  the  ranks  to  combat  yigorous  rife ; 
Red  lances  fhower,  and  fhouts  cpnvulfe  the  Ikies, 
An  equal  ardour  Ai  undaunted  brings,  l%$ 

Fronts  the  dire  foe,  and  fierce  to  danger  fprings— 
As,  borne  by  warring  winds,  thro*  ether  roll 
Two  riling  ftorms,  and  cloud  the  northern  pole  ; 
O'erfome  dark  mountain's  head  their  volumes  driven 
With  floods  of  livid  lightening  deluge  heaven  ;  290 

Peal  following  peal,  careering  thunders  fly, 
Burft  o'er  the  world,  and  rend  the  muddering  {ky. 
With  equal  noife  the  florms  of  war  refound  ; 
The  blackening  volumes  cloud  the  hoftile  ground  ; 
Thro'  the  fhoc~:'d  air  in  mingled  tumult  rife,  29^ 

The  conqueror's  triumphs,  and  the  victim's  crid6. 

And  now  the  chief  to  prudent  Caleb's  charge, 
While  the  cloud  thickens,  and  the  founds  enlarge, 
Commends  the  hoft  that  own  his  mighty  fway, 
And  bends  to  diftant  rocks  his  backward  way.  300 

Here  high  in  air  he  lifts  the  lance's  beam, 
And  power  divine  fupplies  a  ceafelefs  ftream  ; 
With  pointed  circles  glows  the  weapon  brighc, 
And  calls  th'  effulgence  of  exceilive  light, 

Long  o'er  the  plain,  impatient  to  purfue,  30^ 

Had  panting  Irad  fix'd  an  anxious  view, 
Sigh'd  the  great  Leader's  warning  voice  to  hear, 
Or  catch  the  radiance  of  th'  expected  fpear  : 
The  ready  fword  his  hand  all  eager  prefs'd  ; 
The  well-brac'd  buckler  glitter'd  q^t  his  breaH  :         3  k* 


14?  BOOK      VI. 

In  th*  utmoA;  weftern  ranks  he  filcnt  flood 
And  look'd  far  onward  thro'  the  field  of  blood  ; 
Pain'd,  left  the  deitio'd  fign,  forgot  ihould  tail, 
Or  fome  bafe  dart  the  Leader's  life  affail. 
But  when  the  fun-bright  point  imUrr'd  the  air,  3 1 5 

The  blooming  hero  kenn'd  the  beam  afar  ; 
To  his  brave  peers,  with  ardent  joy  he  cries, 
And  all  th©  warrior  fparkled  in  his  eyes. 
Lo,  generous  youths,  on  yon  delightfome  plain 
Shines  the  fair  javelin,  wifh'dfo  long  in  vain!  129 

Now  fpurn  the  hated  flight ;  to  combat  fpring  ; 
Let  virtue  roufe  you,  and  let  glory  wing. 
Now  fhall  our  fires,  and  now  the  Leader,  know 
What  flames  heroic  in  our  bofoms  glow  ; 
Ai  now  mall  learn,  untaught  our  ihength  to  flight     .  32$ 
Not  fear,  but  wifdom  plann'd  our  feeming  flight, 
On  their  own  heads  redoubled  vengeance  feel, 
Or  fly  inglorious  from  the  conquering  fteel. 
Rife  then,  brave  youths,  their  impious  feoffs  repay  ; 
My  arm  to  triumph  leads  the  envied  way.  33# 

.  He  fpoke  ;  the  voice  each  a&ive  hero  warms  ; 
With  dreadful  din  they  clafn  their  glittering  arms, 
Full  on  their  jiauntlefi  foes  impetuous  fall,  . 
And  break  refifile/a  o'er  th*  embodied  wall. 
As  winter's  fhriliing  blait  begins  to  roar,  335 

And  drives,  in  gloomy  rape,  aiottg  the  (bore  ; 
Torre,  th  it's  path,  the  trees  confus'dly  lie; 
The  v  hite  waves  roll,  ihe  boughs  tumultuous  fly. 
Not  with  lefs  force,  o'er  piles  ofw;  rriors  fiain, 
Pour  id  band  acroYs  the  bloody  pla:  349 

Death  leads  their  way  :  with  youthful  vigor  i 
They  deal  fwift  vei  ghc, 

Regardlefi  of  the  flo  round  them  flies, 

■  .    .: 

High  in   .  .■<  alted  had  ilrode,  £45 

nienc'd  die  toiii'oi  blood. 


book:    vti  fift 

V/hen  nrfthis  arm,imminglingin  the  ftriie* 

Drew  the  red  ftream,  and  fpilt  a  human  life, 

(A  lovely  youth  opposM  his  haplefs  head, 

And  with  pure  crimfon  died  the  infant  blade)  350 

Thro"  his  chiil'd  veins  a  new,  ftrange  horror  ran, 

And  half-form'd  tears  in  either  eye  began  5 

In  his  young  heart,  unusM  to  create  woe, 

Inflictive  fyrnpathy  began  to  glow  ; 

The  dreadful    fcene  he  gaz'd,  and  (Tiook  to  hear  355 

The  hollow  groan  and  fee  pale  death  fo  near. 

But  foon  freih  tranfports  in  his  bofom  rife, 

Kous'd  by  (brill  arms,  and  fir'd  by  barbarous  cries  ; 

Again  his  ipirit  claims  th'  imbattled  foe  , 

And  bids  two  heroes  to  his  falchion  bow  ;  36a 

Thro'  cleaving  ranks  he  wings  a  dreadful  way, 

And  clouds  of  rolling  duft  obfeure  the  day. 

Meantime  in  Judah's  van  great  Hczron  fped3 
His  voice  arous'd  them  and  his  footftepa  led  ; 
With  ftVd  frrm  courfe,  the  hoary  hero  ftrode,  365 

His  brown  arms  purpled  with  the  buritlng  blood  ; 
Ranks  after  ranks  againlt  his  falchion  rife, 
And  chief  on  chief  in  fwift  f  icceiHon  dies. 
Tor  now  each  breafr.  fuch  active  vengeance  warms  ; 
They  fpurn  the  trifling  toil  of  roiffive  arms ;  a*?# 

Eaeh  braces  firm  the  fhielct,  and  joys  to  wheel 
The  furer  vengeance  of  the  griding  Ret). 
FuU*wb  ?reat  Hesron's  courfe  the  heathens  rufrYd, 
And  tiie  ririt  chiefs  by  following  chiefs  were  cruih'd  : 
In  folemn  pomp,  againft  the  growing  fionn  \ 

The  mighty  hero  rear'd  his  moveiefs  form. 
Irrvatn  bright  fwords  around  him  ceacelefs  hung, 
Troops  prefs'd  in  vain,  and  clattering  armour  rung, 
So,  on  fame  hill,  while  angry  tempefts  lower, 
In  iiately  grandeur,  Hands  the  mofs-^rown  tower  ;         3  .-> 
Loud  roar  the  winds  ;  impetuous  ci rives  the  rain, 
And  all  the  fury  of  th'"ctheiial  main  ; 


144  BOOK      ttfi 

Still,  rear'd  to  heaven,  it  frowns  with  pride  fublime,* 
Spurns  the  fierce  florin,  and  mocks  the  wafte  of  time. 

Far  diftant,  Caleb  fwept  the  crimfon  plain,  3S5 

Guided  the  fight,  and  pil'd  the  numerous  flain  ; 
Round  his  great  arm  the  cloudy  fquadrons  hung  ; 
ClafrVd  on  his  buckler  countlefs  weapons  rung  ; 
Chiefs  after  chiefs  oppos'd  his  waiting  courfe, 
Met  his  broad  ft.el,  and  felt  its  fatal  force.  396 

Ludon,the  Hivites'  prince,  his  arm  defied 
All  rough  with  gold,  and  gay  in  barbarous  pride  ; 
With  giant  flrength  the  heathen  hurl'd  his  fpear, 
Jts  terrors  quivering  through  the  parted  air; 
Loud  o'er  brave  Caleb's  moulders  fung  the  fteel,  395 

And  pierc'd  a  warrior's  bread  ;  the  warrior  fell ; 
His  blue  mail  clang'd  ;  to  rife  he  tried  in  vain> 
But  writh'd  in  dying  anguifh  on  the  plain. 
The  mighty  leader  rais'd  his  fword  on  high, 
Its  tranfient  lightnings  circling  in  the  iky,  466 

Full  on  the  Heathen's  neck  a  griding  wound 
Stmk  ;  the  loos'd  head  fell  fpouting  to  the  ground. 
Amaz'd,  the  Hivites  faw  their  monarch  loft. 
And  deathlike  murmurs  groan/d  around  thehoft. 

Near  the  bold  leader  Oran  rear'd  his  fteel,  405 

Where  the  florm  thicken'd,  and  the  fierceft  fell ; 
Imperious  taunts  provoke  the  rage  cf  war, 
Loud  threats  infult,  and  tumult  founds  3far  ; 
Wedg'd  in  a  movelefs  throng,  the  battle  grows, 
Cries  deeper  roar,  and  fhriller  ring  the  blows.  <*  ;o 

With  joy,  unfeeling  Oran  ftrides  the  flain, 
And  hails  the  ruins  of  th'  accuflom'd  plain  : 
No  anguifh  melts,  no  wound  his  pity  charms. 
No  fate  impaflions,  and  no  groan  alarms  ; 
Thro'  the  red  fcenes  he  hews  a  raptur'd  wnv,  41  - 

And  mingling  darknefs  intercepts  the  day. 

Meantime  fierce  Irad  o'er  the  held  is  driven, 
And  bo*&  ih'  sfliflance  of  a    ftvcuiing  fea\tn 


BOOK      VI,  f$ 

Though  new  to  war,  with  war  his  bofom  glows, 

And  knows  no  tranrport,  but  the  flight  of  foes.  420 

In.  fcenes  of  diftant  death  bold  Hezron  {lands, 
Dies  his  blue  arms,  and  pains  bis  aged  hands ; 
Fall  many  a  chief  his  veteran  falckion  crowns, 
Thick  flit  the  fhades,  and  blood  the  verdure  drowns. 
Impetuous  Carmifprings  the  chief  to  meet,  42^ 

Confcious  of  youth,  and  light  with  nimble  feet ; 
His  arm  all  active  ftrews  the  fanguine  ground, 
Wakes  the  deep  groan,  and  deals  the  frequent  wound  ; 
Full  on  his  angry  fword  the  warriors  rufh, 
Impel  th#  upright,  ihe  falling  heedlefs  crufti :  430 

No  chief  the  fury  of  his  arm  with/lands, 
And  ruin  widens  o'er  bold  Hezron's  bands. 
Amaz'd,  the  herofaw  the  deluge  fpread, 
And  wide,  and  wider  rife  the  piles  of  dead. 
Flight  firft  commence  in  hcfls  that  own  his  fway,  435 

And  proud  Ai  hail  a  fecond  conquering  day  : 
From  his  fad  bofom  heavrd  a  heavy  groan  ; 
Round  the  whole  war  he  mifs'd  his  favourite  fon  : 
Untaught  to  droop,  he  hopes  congenial  fire 
May  yet  ward  {hame,  and  yet  the  troops  infpire.-—     440 
Where  now,  he  cries,  are  fled  the  boafts  of  morn  ? 
The  towering  ftalk  ?  the  brow  of  lifred  fcorn  ? 
Then  Judah's  warriors  premis'd  deeds  of  fame, 
Hifs'u  impious  flight,  and  fpurn'd  the  daftfard's  (hame. 
Far  other  fcenes  now  rend  thefe  han'efs  eyes  ;  445 

The  foe  advances,  and  the  boaaer  flies ; 
Broke  but  by  fear,  ye  wing  inglorious  flight, 
Giants  jn  wordr,  and  maidens  in  the  fight; 
Oh  had  kind  Heaven  difpens'd  a  fpeedier  doom, 
And  this  frail  form  in  Bafhan  found  a  tomb  !  450 

Then  had  thefe  palfied  limbs,  in  peace  repos'd  ; 
Unpain'd  with  (hame,  thefe  eyes  in  triumph  clos'd  ; 
Pleas'd  to  the  laft.,  furvey'd  my  favourite  race, 
View'd  no  bafe  flight,  and  bled  for  no  difgrace.— 

U 


BOOK      Vi. 

Hence,  hence,  ye  timorous  fouls,  to  Jofnua  fly,  45  J 

And  tell  the  Chief,  ye  faw  your  leader  die. 

The  hero  fpoke  ;  and  urg'd  by  pailion's  force, 
On  furious  Carmi  bent  his  aged  courlc  ; 
Awful  in  gleam  of  arms,  the  chiefs  appear, 
Here  the  bold  youth,  the  white-hair'd  hero  there:  46a 

But  ere  his  fword  great  Hezron  could  extend, 
Or  circling  bands  their  ancient  chief  defend, 
A  long,  bright  lance  his  wary  foe  beheld, 
And  fnatch'd  it  glittering  on  the  bloody  field  ; 
Swift  through  the  hero's  fide  he  fore'd  the  fteel  ;  465 

Pierc'd  to  the  heart,  the  aged  wtfirior  fell  ; 
There  lay,  a  corfe,  befpread  with  purple  llains, 
The  form,  that  triumph'don  a  hundred  plains. 

On  Ridgefield's  hills,  to  fliame  to  virtue  dead, 
Thus  daitard  bands  the  foe  inglorious  fled  ;  476 

"When  Wooiter  fingly  brav'd  the  deathfui  ground, 
Fir'd  hofts  in  vain,  and  met  the  fatal  wound. 
In  dangers  born,  to  arms  in  childhood  train'd, 
From  Gallia's  heroes  many  a  palm  he  gain'd  ; 
With  freedom's  facred  flame  ferenely  glow'd  175 

For  juilice  arm'd,  and  fought  the  field  for  God  ; 
With  Heady  zeal  his  nation's  interell  lov'd  ; 
(No  terror  touch'd  him,  and  no  injury  mov'd) 
Far  in  the  front,  with  dauntleis  bo(om  bled, 
And  crown'd  the  honours  of  his  hoary  head.  480 

Bent  o'er  his  foe,  the  lovely  Carmi  flood, 
And  view'd,  with  tears  of  grief,  his  burfting  blood  ; 
And  thus— -Unhappy  fire,  he  fadly  cried— 
Perhaps  thy  monarch's  joy,  tby  nation's  pride.— 
How  like  my  father's  bends  thy  hoary  brow  ?  485 

His  limbs,  his  countenance,  and  his  locks  offnow, 
All  in  thy  venerable  face  I  fee— 
Perhaps  the  parent  ot  a  fon  like  me— 

i  le  ipoke ;    and  fiercely  wheel'd  his  bloody  fword, 
C?iuii£  10  the  fight,  and  wany  a  hero  gor'd  ;  490 


BOOK      VI,  H7 

His  voice,  his  eyes  the  joyful  hofc  infpire, 
And  through  the  fweetnefs  flames  a  dreadful  fire. 
Active  as  light,  o'er  trembling  ranks  he  hung  ; 
Shouts  fhook  the  plains,  the  frighted  fDrefis  rung  : 
Unnumber'd  fullen  groans  were  heard  around  ;  495 

Unnumber'd  corfes  cloath'd  the  purple  ground: 
From  port  to  poll  r-etir'd  pale  Judah's  train, 
And  chief  on  chief  increas'd  the  piles  offiain. 
Dark  as  an  evening  cloud,  bold  Ai  was  driven, 
Gloom'd  all  the  fields,  and  cafl  a  (hade  on  heaven  ;      500 
Wide  roli'd  the  ftorm  ;   wide  drove  the  duft  along, 
And  ruin  hover'd  o'er  the  flying  throng. 

Meantime,  brave  Irad  turn'd  his  fparkling  eyes, 
And  faw  in  diftant  fields  the  clouds  arife  ; 
Sad  flight  and  terror  fillM  the  backward  plain,  505 

And  the  foe  fhouted  o'er  hi3  kindred  flat  11. 
As,  when  autumnal  clouds  the  fkies  deform, 
Burfts  the  wild  whirlwind  from  the  gloomy  ftorm  ; 
Hoawfe  crafh  the  pines ;  oaks  fliffiy  ftubborn  fall, 
And  fudden  thunders  liftening  fwains  appall :  $\q 

So,  wing'dby  Heaven,  impetuous  Irad  flew; 
As  fwift  their  darling  chief  the  youths  purfb.e  ; 
Whelm'd  in  their  path,  the  falling  bands  expire, 
And  crowds  of  warriors  from  their  fteps  retire. 

Now,  where  brave  Carmi  fwept  the  purple  ground. 
Terrific  Irad  fhook  his  buckler's  round  ;  5  i5 

Alike  in  years  they  feem'd,  alike  in  arms, 
Of  equal  ftature,  and  of  rival  charms  : 
Nor  this,  nor  that,  the  dangerous  fight  can  yield  ; 
But  each  demands  the  empire  of  the  field.  520 

From  the  fierce  chiefs  the  wondering  bands  retreat  ; 
Blows  following  blows  their  founding  fhields  repeat; 
Uncleft,  each  faithful  orb  the  ftroke  rebounds, 
Blunts  the  keen  blade,  and  intercepts  the  wounds  : 
'Till  Irad's  nimble  arm,  with  fudden  wheel,  525 

Through  Carmi's  fide  imoels  the  fatal  Heel, 


148  13     O    O    K      VI. 

Pure  ftreams  of  crimfon  ftain  the  fubjett  ground, 
An  J  the  freed  foul  pervades  the  gaping  wound. 

Not  that  fair  pride,  that  foul-fupporting  flame, 
That  lights  the  fplendors  of  th'  immortal  name  ;  $yi 

Not  all  the  bravery  nature  can  impart, 
Nor  the  fond  wifhes  of  a  virgin's  heart, 
Nor  parents' vows,  nor  nations'  prayers  could  lave, 
The  young,  bright  hero  from  an  early  grave. 
He  fell,  with  beauty's  faireft  beams  adorn'd,  535 

While  foes  admir'd  him,  and  while  Irad  mourn'd. 
Ah  youth,  too  foon  allotted  to  the  tomb  ; 
Oh  had  kind  Heaven  difpens'd  afofter  doom, 
On  thy  fair  deeds  a  fweet  reward  bcfiow'd, 
And  op' d  the  manfions  of  the  blefs'd  abode  !  540 

Thus,  where  fad  Charleftown  lifts  her  hills  on  high, 
"Where  once  gay  ftructures  charm'd  the  morning  fky, 
Ere  Howe's  barbarian  hand  in  favage  tire 
Wrapp'd  the  tall  dome,  and  whelm'd  the  facred  fpire, 
In  life's  fair  prime,  and  new  to  war's  alarms,  545 

Brave  Warren  funk,  in  all  the  pride  of  arms. 
With  me,  each  generous  mind  the  hour  recall, 
When  pale  Columbia  mourn'd  her  favourite's  fall ; 
Mourn'd  the  bright  flatefman,  hero,  patriot,  fled, 
The  friend  extinguim'd,  and  the  genial  dead  ;  550 

While  he,  the  darling  of  the  wife,  and  good, 
Seal'd  his  firm  truth,  and  built  his  name  in  biocd. 

Loud  as  the  ruming  ftorm,  the  din  of  war 
Burft  o'er  the  plain,  and  fh'.ok  the  fields  afar  ; 
Fierce  Irad  rsis'd  a  loud,  ditUnguifh'd  cry---  555 

Here  fee,  my  fri  t  lie — - 

Through  AT  iwori  ihall  hew  your  way  ; 

Shall  fndah's  font  he<Uy  ? 

Shall  :ed  r   to  glory  rife  ; 

Lift  all  your  arms,  and  pierce  the  knave  that  flies.       560 

The  ,ke  :  abalh'd  the  warriors  heard. 

Rung  their  blue  arms,  and  high  the  iUndard  rcar'd  ; 


B    O    O    K    VI.  149 

Aloft  in  air  a  Lion's  gloomy  form 

Lower'd,  like  the  darknefs  of  a  fullen  florm  ; 

Around  his  head  his  fcaggy  terrors  frown'd,  565 

And  his  red  eyeballs  gleam'd  deftrudtion  round. 

Swift  from  the  bearer's  hand  fierce  Irad  drew 

The  banner'd  ftaff,  and  mid  the  heathens  threw  ; 

Withjoy  they  fprang  to  feize  the  glittering  prize, 

And  fmiles  of  triumph  fparkled  in  their  eyes.  570 

Shame  flufh'd  the  checks  of  Judah's  glowing  train  ; 

Their  bofoms  heav'd  ;  their  faces  flafh'd  difdain  ; 

To  feize  the  mining  fpoil  each  warrior  fprang  ; 

The  combat  thicken'd  ;  and  all  ether  rang  ; 

Far  roll'd  the  darknefs  of  the  dully  clcud  ;  5-5 

Loud  rofe  their  cries,  and  armour  claiVd  aloud. 

The  blackening  tempeft  Ai  undaunted  kenn'd, 

Plcas'd  to  procure,  and  ftubborn  to  defend  ;    * 

Scarce  Irad's  arm  could  cleave  the  firm-wcdg'd  train, 

As  fierce  he  drove  the  ftandard  to  regain  ;  580 

Through  ranks  on  ranks  he  foic'd  a  fanguine  way, 

Ere  his  red  falchion  won  the  fplendid  prey  ; 

Wirh  fmiles,  he  faw  the  crimfon  tumult  grow, 

Andhail'd  the  vengeance  gathering  o'er  the  foe. 

From  the  tall  rock  great  Jofhua  cafihis  eyes,  •  58^ 

And  faw  the  varying  fcenes  of  combat  rile. 
To  Carmi's  force  beheld  pale  Judah  yield, 
And  rofe  to  fave  the  triumphs  of  the  field  ; 
But  foon  new  incuts  afcend  the  clouded  iky, 
His  friends  now  triumph,  and  the  Heathens  fly.         590 

Now  nearer  fcenes  his  fearching  view  demand, 
Where  mighty  Caleb  rules  the  warrior  band  ; 
Fierce  Oran's  fword  begins  inglorious  flight, 
And  his  loud  clamours  animate  the  fight: 
Scarce  Caleb's  arm  the  conflicl  can  fuftain,  595 

His  voice  aroufe,  or  deeds  infpire,  the  train  ; 
So  fierce  the  heathens  throng  th'  embattled  ground, 
So  thick  the  warriors  fall,  the  groans  refound. 


i>o  r,    Q    O    K     VL 

The  Hero  view'd,  and  tow'rd  the  fainting  thror.g, 

Swift  as  a  rapid  whirlwind,  rufh'd  along  ;  602 

As  'gainfl:  a  mound,  when  tempefts  rice  the  gale, 

The  raging  river  foams  along  the  vale  ; 

Down  the  wall  crumbles,  and  with  dreadful  reign 

Sweeps  a  wild  deluge  on  the  wafted  plain. 

Buriting  upon  the  dark  embodied  throng  60- 

Thus  the  wide  ruin  jofhua  drove  along  ; 

Around  his  conrfe  increas'd  the  piles  of  dead, 

The  brave  funk  f  ghting,  and  the  coward  fled. 

Now,  where  unfeeling  Oran  crufn'd  the  f.ain, 
All  grim  with  du fl:,  and  red  with  many  a  flain,  6i* 

While  fmiles  or*ranfport  gather'd  on  his  brow, 
Hi?  fierce  eye  fparkling  o'er  the  bleeding  foe, 
While  high  for  death  he  rear'd  his  fanguine  arm, 
And  a  brave  warrior  bow'd  to  fhun  the  ltorm, 
Great  Jofhua's  full-orb'd  buckler  caught  the  wound,  615 
And  lightnings  darted  from  the  moony  round, 
Then,  by  his  hand  with  rufhing  thunder  thrown, 
On  Oran's  helmet  burfl  a  mighty  P.one, 
That,  bounding  onward  'gainft  a  warrior's  fide, 
Crufh'd  his  ftrong  ribs,  and  lh.ed  a  plenteous  tide.       62  G 
Stunn'd  by  the  daggering  blow,  the  ieader  fell, 
Wn'th'd  with  the  pain,  and  gave  a  hideous  yell  ; 
Furious  he  lay,  with  heaving,  panting  breath, 
RolFd  up  his  whitening  eve<.  and  frown'd  in  death  ; 
Curfing  the  fhield,  which  feiz'd  his  nimble  dart,  625 

And  ftopp'd  itspaflage  to  the  warrior's  heart : 
Swift  on  his  throat  defcends  th'  indignant  blade, 
Burfts  the  black  gore,  and  leans  the  gri.ly  head. 

Loud  o'er  the  tumult  rofe  the  Hero's  crv  ; 
The  hoft  all  quakes,  thedifhnt  groves  replv---  633 

Rufh  on,  bold  heroes,  conqueft  crowns  the  d 
v    n>  fprinr:  to  fight,  and  feize  the  trembling  prey. 
Tni>5  arm  00  Oran  drove  the  final  wound  ; 
L»-*t  ihouts  of  triumph  lhakc  the  hoitile  ground  ; 


t    O    O    K    VI.  15* 

Wealth,  and  fair  peace,  the  generous  conteil  yields,    635 

And  wreachs  of  glory  bloom  in  bloody  fields. — 

As  in  th'  enkindled  wood  fierce  winds  arife, 

And  ftorms  of  fire  are  blown  acrois  the  fkies  ; 

In  blazing  trains,  the  towering  pines  defcend, 

And  ruining  thunders  all  the  foreit  rend  :  640 

So,  loud  and  furious,  Ifrael  throng'd  the  fight, 

And  their  blue  armour  flafh'd  a  dreadful  light; 

O  'er  the  pale  rear  tremendous  Jofnua  hung  ; 

Their  gloomy  kneil  his  voice  terrific  rung  ; 

From  glowing  eyeballs  rlafh'd  his  wratli  fevere,  64J 

Grim  Death  before  him  hurl'd  his  murdering  (pear  ; 

Heads,  fever'd  from  their  necks,  beftrew'd  his  way, 

And  gufning  bodies  round  his  foocileps  lay. 

Meantime  Ai's  founding  portals  wide  unfold, 
And  fierce  to  combat  buriting  bands  are  roil'd  ;  650 

In  dreadful  pomp  aicends  the  widening  train; 
Battalions  on  battalions  cloud  the  plain  : 
There  glowing  Zimri  wings  his  rapid  force, 
And  eager  thoufands  darken  round  his  courfe, 

Ai's  ghaftly  fons  the  fmoking  walls  furvey'd,  65 £ 

And  wild  amaze  each  pallid  front  array'd  ; 
Here  lay  in  gore  their  brethren,  and  their  iires  ; 
There  funk  their  manfions  in  terrific  fires; 
Before,  behind,  their  foes  increas'd  alarms  ;  659 

They  rais'd  one  fhriek,  and  dropp'd  their  ufelefs  arms  : 
Where'er  an  opening  rank  receiv'd  the  day, 
Or  dull  obfeure   difclos'd  a  glimmering  ray, 
Borne  by  light  fear,  they  left  the  lingering  wind, 
They  fled,  they  flew,  nor  cait  a  look  behind  ; 
Oft  on  the  fpear's  protended  point  they  ran  ;  C6t 

While  throng'd  refilliefs,  meeting  man  with  man, 
Steel  itretch'd  to  fteel,  and  ihield  to  ihieid  eppoo'd  ; 
On  every  fide  the  power  of  lfrael  clos'd. 
So  thick  they  throng'd,  no  fpear  could  mifs  its  courfe  ; 
la  vain  no  falchion  (pen;  its  ardent  force  :  6je 


i5  BOOK      VI* 

Lefs  heard  and  lefs,  refounded  piercing  cries, 

And  dull  befprinkled  ceas'dto  fill  the  fkieo. 

So,  when  tall  navies  Ji Ft  imperial  fails, 

And  hope  th'  indulgence  of  propitious  gales, 

When  the  cold  north's  fbrce  wind  the  main  deform,  675 

And,  fill'd  with  thunder!,  rolls  the  raging  Horm, 

Heav'd  from  the  bottom,  foaming  billows  rife, 

And  climb,  and  climb,  and  roar  agair.it  the  fkies ; 

O'er  fhiver'd  malfo  unroll  the  furging  waves, 

And  the  pale  failors  plunge  in  watery  graves.  63c 

Swift  as  a  whirlwind,  o'er  thefouthern  plain, 

Impetuous  Zimri  drove  the  Hivite  train: 

With  profperous  courfe,  they  fped  their  halty  flight, 

Sunk  in  the  wood,  and  vanifiVd  from  the  fight. 

And  now,  obedient  to  the  Chief's  command,  63  ~ 

(Round  the  tall  ftandard  throng'd  each  wearied  band; 
A  fmile  of  tranfport  every  face  adorn'd, 
Their  wounds  unheeded,  and  the  dead  fcarce  mourn'd. 

Nor  knew  fair  lrad  how  his  parent  lay, 
But,  fir'd  with  glory,  fker'd  his  carelefs  way  ;  6>j9 

Near  the  great  Chief  he  mov'd  with  confeious  grac:, 
Andconfcious  blufhes  crimfon'd  o'er  his  face  ; 
When,  pale  and  ghaflly,  on  the  bloody  ground, 
Stain'd  with  black  dult,  and  piere'dwith  many  a  woui*d, 
Stiff  gore  befprinkling  all  his  locks  of  fnow,  6^5 

And  a  cold  cloud  around  his  reverend  brow, 
Hezron  appear'd  :  at  once  his  nerves  congeal'd  ; 
His  frozen  lips  a  dumb,  dead  illence  fcal'd  ; 
A  moveiefs  (latue,  o'er  the  fire  he  hung, 
Nor  dreaming  tears  releas'd  his  marbled  tongue.        70* 
Then  round  the  corfe  impaflion'd  arms  he  threw, 
And  walh'd  the  clotted  gore  in  filial  dew  ; 
Glu'd  to  the  form  ui:h  itrong  embraces  lay. 
And  kils'd,  with  quivering  lips,  the  fcmeleis  clay. 
At  length  the  Chief,  foft  pity  in  his  c  705 

Reach'd  his  kind  hand,  and  fore'd  the  Youth  to  rife: 


P     O     O    K      VI. 


-r 


Four  mournful  warriors  Hezron's  body  bore, 
And  their  eyes  gliilen'd  with  a  tender  mower. 

The  fundeclin'd  ;  beimear'a  with  duft,  and  blood, 
Slow  o'er  the  plain  the  wearied  fquadrons  trode  ;        716 
Whei,  fair  as  Phofphcr  leads  the  morning  train, 
Drefs'd  in  new  beams,  and  beauteous  from  the  main  ; 
Crown'd  with  white  flowers,  that  breath'd  a  rich  perfume 
And  cloth'd  in  lovelinefs,  of  gnyeil  bloom, 
Rofe  in  foft  fplendor  Caleb's  youngeft  pride,  7*5 

A  thoufand  maidens  following  at  her  £de. 
In  fnow-white  robes  of  flowing  filk  array'd, 
Firft  of  the  virgins  walk'd  the  bluftiing  maid  ; 
Ker  long,  dark  hair  loofe:floaied  in  the  wind  ; 
Her  glowing  eyes  confefc'd  th'  etherial  mind  ;  720 

A  wreath  of  olive  flouriiVd  in  her  hand  ; 
A  filver  lyre  obey'd  her  foft  command  ; 
With  founds  harmonious  rang  the  warbled  firings, 
And  thus  the  maids,  and  thus  Selima  fings. 
Who  comes  from  Ai,  adorn'd  with  gay  attire,  72s 

Bright  as  the  fplendor  of  the  morning  fire  ? 
Fair  as  the  ipring,  afcends  the  lovely  form, 
And  dreadful  as  the  blaze,  that  lights  the  dorm  ! 
Ye  maids,  with  flowerets  ftrew  the  conqueror's  way, 
Strike  the  loud  harp,  and  fing  the  dreadful  day  !         730 
jTo  Irad's  fteps  the  matchlefs  fair-one  came, 
Her  bread  quick-panting,  and  her  cheeks  en  flame  ; 
Her  beauteous  hand  the  verdant  crown  difpiay'd  ; 
Graceful  he  bow:d,  and  plac'd  it  on  his  head. 
•Slow  to  her  train  the  trembling  fair  withdrew,  735 

The  charm'd  youths  following  with  a  movelefs  view. 
So,  wing'd  with  light,  anddrefs'd  in  flrange  array, 
The  mantling  glory  of  the  rifmg  day, 
With  fweet  complacence,  fjch  as  angels  fhow 
To  fouls  unprifonM  from  this  world  of  woe,  746 

Parted  foft-fmiling  from  our  general  fire 
•Same  bright-ey'd  Virtue,  of  the  heavenly  choir, 


n 


ROOK      VL 


Far  in  the  folar  walk,  with  war.derous  flight, 
The  form  celeftial  Ieflen'd  on  his  fight. 

Again  the  youth  his  wonted  life  regain'd  ;  T45 

A  traniient  fparkle  in  his  eye  obtain'd  ; 
A  rifmg  glow  his  tender  thoughts  confsfs'd, 
And  the  foft  motions  of  his  melting  bread. 
But  ibon  dark  glooms  the  feeble  fmilep  o'erfpread  ; 
Like  morn's  gay  hues,  the  fading  fplendor  tied  ;  75c* 

Returning  anguifh  froze  his  feeling  foul, 
Deep  fighs  burift  forth,  and  tears  began  to  roll; 


T        H         £ 


CON  QUEST     of     CANAAN 


BOOK        VII, 


Argument. 

$<vening  defer  i  bed.  Irad's  dream.  He  goes  cut  to  thi 
walls  of  Ai.  His  lamentation  for  his  father.  Reflecti- 
ons on  the  fate  of  Ai.  Appearance  of  an  army.  Irad 
returns  in  hafte,  and  alarms  the  Camp,  frjhua,  at  his 
requeft,  allots  him  a  body  of  forces,  with  whom  he  goes  out 
to  attack  the  Heathens.  Battle  by  the  burning  of  Ai,  be- 
tween Razor,  &c.  and  lfrael.  Irad'' s  exploits.  He  kills 
Adnor,  and  pmrfues  Samlah  to  the  enftern  part  of  the  heft. 
XJzal.  Shelumiel.  Jabiifs  char  after,  ana* explcits.  He 
kills  Shammah,  and  Seraiah.  fobab.  Confuf.cn  of  the 
Ifraelites.  Irad  returns,  and  rallies  them.  He  attacks 
Jobab,  wifhfuccefs.  Kindling  cf  the  neighbouring fc- 
reft  Jeparates  the  combatants. 

^he/ccne  of  this  battle  is  partly  on  ihe  plain  eaft  cf  Ai, 
panly  in  the  for  eft  ft  ill  eaftward,  and  partly  northward 
ef  the  for  eft. 


The     CONQUEST     of     CANAAN. 
BOOK      VII. 


O'ER  the  wide  world  immeafurablv  fpread, 
Night,  ftili  and  gloomy,  caft  a  fclemn  (hade. 
In  heavens  half-clouded  liars  unfrequent  hang  ; 
Scarce  heard,  the  blaft  with  mournful  murmurs  rung  ; 
Above  tall,  eatfern  hills,  the  moon's  pale  eye  5 

Look'd  fad,  and  dreadful,  from  the  cheerlefs  fky  : 
Her  cold,  w  an  face,  half- hid  behind  a  cloud, 
That  wrapp'd  the  mountains  in  a  fable  fhroud, 
With  feeble  luflre  ftreak'd  the  ihadowy  plains. 
And  edg'd  her  vapoury  robes  with  difmal  iiains.  10 

All,  but  thefavage  race,  to  fieep  recir'd, 
And  the  laft  gleams  of  weftern  ikies  expir'd. 

Stretch'd  in  his  tent,  unhappy  Irad  lay, 
And  fad  oblivion  bore  his  toils  away. 
In  that  ftill  hour,  when  rapt  on  eagle-wings,  1 5 

To  diftant  climes  bewilder'd  fancy  fprings, 
A  death-like  flumber  feal'd  his  tearful  eyes, 
And  thus  unreal  fcenes  in  vifion  rife. 

Through  ionely  fields,  in  ruflet  gloom  array'd, 
Loft  in  mute  grief,  with  weary  tfeps  he  ftray'd.  20 

A  fhadowy  light,  like  evening's  dufky  ray, 
Spread  o'er  the  world,  and  form'd  a  twilight  day. 
Beiore  his,  wandering  path,  a  northern  grove 
Sh^d  midnight  round,  and  pierc'd  the  clouds  above ; 


i53  B    o    o   k     vir. 

Slow  wav*d  the  tall,  dark  pines :  a  hollow  found  2  • 

Roli'd  through  the  wood,  and  ihook  th'  autumnal  ground. 
Dull-murmuring  fell  the  fallen,  fwelling  dreams, 
Lulling  to  fleep,  and  blue  in  glimmering  beams. 
With  broad,  black  horrors  o'er  its  bofom  fpread, 
An  eaftern  mountain  rear'd  its  maggy  head  ;  3Q 

High  hung  the  hoary  cliff;  the  cedars  height, 
hefs  feen,  and  lefs,  withdrew  beyond  the  fight. 
Strange  unknown  fcenes  the  regions  wild  difplay, 
And  folitary  mufic  /lowly  dies  away. 

From  the  thick  grove,  in  dark-brown  robes  reveal'd, 
A  form  ftalk'd  folemn  o'er  tne  muddering  field  ;  36 

Of  other  worlds  he  feem'd  ;  nor  cart  an  eye 
On  the  brown  plain,  or  on  the  gleomy  fky. 
Regardlefs  of  the  fcenes  that  round  him  mourn 'd, 
On  Irad's  path  his  fad,  flow  fteps  he  turn'd  ;  40 

Pale  flood  the  Youth  ;  the  ftately  fhape  drew  nigh  ; 
Gafh'd  was  his  cheek,  andfix'd  his  lofty  eye  ; 
Take  a  light  flame,  low  hung  his  beard  of  fnow, 
And  death's  cold  terrors  hover'd  or.  his  brow. 
'Twas  Hezron's  felf.     With  weak,  but  folemn  found,    45 
As  fullen  graves  beneath  the  foot  refound, 
HU  voice  began-~On  fate's  dark  verge  I  ftand, 
Whence  thickening  dangers  roll  acrofs  thy  land. 
Night  wraps  the  world  ;  approaching  dorms  arife, 
Hang  o'er  thy  race,  and  cloud  the  fouthern  ikies.  50 

My  mouldering  bones  a  colder  night  detains, 
Ci.js'd  in  the  tomb,  and  bound  in  icy  chain*  : 
Cut  the  wing'd  fpirit  fairer  climes  furround, 
And  heaven  unfolding  bids  her  longs  ictbund. 
Faintly  hefpoke.     By  itrange,  immortal  fpell,  5$ 

]  lis  \.ound3  grew  finooth,  his  light'cis  garments  fell  : 
Hh  paliid  face  a  fudden  beauty  hr'd, 
And  with  liroug  life  his  changing  eye  infpir'^  ; 
O'er  his  white  robes  a  purple  fplendor  ray'd  ; 
JLong  glittering  pinions  looi'ely  round  him  plsy'J  ;  6c 


BOOK    VII,  15J 

In  dreadful  pomp,  fublime  the  Viiion  flood, 
And  living  fragrance  breath'd  along  the  wood. 
At  once  the  hero,  ftartled,  rais'd  his  head  ; 
Still  was  his  tent,  and  all  the  tumult  fled ; 
Again  to  ileep  heclos'd  his  wearied  eyes,  6$ 

And  broken  {lumbers  o'er  his  toils  arife. 

Sudden,  his  name  re-echoing  from  the  walls, 
A  wild,  and  vifionary  murmur  calls— 
Irad  awake  ;  my  voice  thine  ear  invades^ 
From  the  dark  manfions  of  imprifon'd  lhades ;  70 

In  fouthern  plains  the  clarion's  thunders  rife, 
Andfhouts  of  triumph  fill  the  rending  ikies. 

Swift  from  his  couch  the  Youth  altonifh'd  rofe, 
(While  every  vein  the  dreadful  murmur  froze) 
With  aclive  hand  his  arms  around  him  brac'd  ;  75 

With  nimble  feet  the  glimmering  champain  pafs'd, 
And  tow'rd  Ai's  flames,  that  rag'd  with  awful  force, 
Su(pcn(G,  but  fearlefs,  fleer'd  his  lonely  courfe. 
Still  o'er  his  head  the  airy  phantom  hung  ; 
Irad  awake---the  voice  unreal  rung  :  80 

Sad  grief,  and  anxious  doubt  his  thoughts  oppreis'd^ 
But  love's  foft  whifpers  full  diftu'rb'd  his  breaii. 

Now  folemn  filence  fail'd  along  the  air  ; 
No  bird  complain'd  ;  no  echoing  voice  was  near  5 
Save  the  flow  murmur  of  the  palling  gale,  83 

That  fwept  the  plain,  and  founded  through  the  vale. 
The  flames  dark-glimmer'd  on  the  hero's  IhieH, 
And  caft  long  fhadows  o'er  the  pallid  field  : 
Round  the  dread  fcenes  he  turn'd  regardlefs  eyes, 
And  thus  began,  witk  intermingled frghs---  $© 

And  art  thou  fled  forever  r  this  thine  end, 
Thou  bed  of  parents,  and  thou  fureft  friend? 
And  could'ft  thou  fall,  a  prey  to  murdering  war  ? 
What  cruel  demon  drove  my  feet  fo  far  r 
Was  no  kind  angel  hovering  o'er  the  throng  ?  e*£ 

Where  look'd  the  Power,  thy  virtue  ferr'd  folong? 


lfo  book    vn> 

Thy  foal  Co  pure— thy  life  Co  firmly  jufl— 
Scarce  Heaven's  own  law  could  more  demand  from  dud. 
"Why,  O  thou  righteous  Mind  ?  but  ceafe  my  tongue, 
Nor  blame  the  dread  decree,  that  cannot  wrong.  ice 

Mine  the  fole  fault---and  mine  the  fingle  blame- 
Wild  with  the  magic  of  that  phantom,  fame. 
Didft  thou  for  this  the  guilty  fhield  bellow, 
To  leave  thee  naked  to  the  fatal  blow  ? 
Didft  thou  for  this  the  fword  accurs'd  impart,  105 

That  fhould  have  plung'd  beneath  the  murderer's  heart  ? 
Far  other  love,  far  other  faithful  cares 
Nurs'd  my  young  limbs,  and  watch'd  my  riling  years  ; 
My  early  ileps,  from  pleafure's  flippery  road, 
Lur'd  with  foft  fmiles,  and  led  them  up  to  God  ;         lie 
Thy  own  bright  acYions  prompting  to  purfue. 
To  virtue  charm'd  me,  and  to  glory  drew; 
With  Jofiuii's  felf  my  willies  forc'd  to  vie, 
Boaft:  of  mankind,  and  chofenofthe  Sky . 

Pale,  in  the  vifionsof  the  guilty  bed,  11^ 

Thy  form  affrights  me,  and  thine  eyes  upbraid. 
There  fcenes  of  dire  diflrefs  thy  words  unroll, 
Doom'd  for  my  life,  and  opening  on  my  foul. 
Or  does  thy  mind  its  lov'd  employ  purfue, 
To  guard  from  ill,  and  hidden  dangers  mew  ?  129 

Perhaps  thy  thoughts,  beyond  the  filent  tomb, 
Watch,  as  in  life,  thy  nation's  iecret  doom  ; 
Some  rufhing  fate  unknown  diiccrn  afar, 
Some  threatening  ambufti,  cr  fome  wafting  war. 

Perhaps  the  firft  of  maids  thy  care  demands,  !  25 

And  claims  her  fafety  from  aerial  hands. 
Ah  !   knew  the  fair  w-hat  crimes  to  me  belong. 
Her  lovely  voice  had  fpar'd  th*  applauding fong; 
A  breaH  more  pure  her  melting  aims  embrae'd, 
And  the  bight  garland  worthier  temples  grae'd.  1  ;c 

Thus  fpoke  the  chief,  when  now  his  ftepi  were  nigh 
Ai's  awfil)  Jl-irics,  that  wav'd  acrofs  the  iky  ; 


BOOK      VIL  *6i 

All  pale,  and  gloomy,  climb'd  the  dreadful  blaze, 
And  fmoky  volumes  curl'd  above  the  rays  ; 
A  dreary  gleam  enroll'd  the  fhady  ground,  135 

And  the  brown  land-fcape  faintly  rofe  around. 
Touch'd  by  the  folemn  fcene,  the  hero  cried-— 
Where  haplefs  Ai  !  is  now  thy  towery  pride  ? 
Where  now  the  manly  fons,  whofe  finewy  arms 
Rofe,  a  drong  bulwark  'gainfl:  impending  harms  140 

Where  now  the  heaven-topp'd  fpire  ?  the  gilded  wall  ? 
Thy  kings,  thy  heroes  ?  whelm'd  in  ruin  all— - 
Deflruttion's  clouds  fail'd  blackening  o'er  thy  light, 
And  wide  oblivion's  never-ertding  night. 

Where  yon  tall  dome  fhoots  forth  the  greedy  flame,  14^ 
Perhaps  fome  hero  hop'd  a  deathlefs  name. 
Oft  when  return'd  from  war,  his  tender  race 
Climb'd  his  fond  knee  and  afe'd  the  fweet  embrace  : 
Oft,  with  a  parent's  gliftening  eye,  he  view'd 
His  face,  his  virtues  in  their  forms  renew'd*  I50 

Perhaps  fome  daughter,  darling  of  his  care, 
Beam'd,  like  Selima  faireft  of  the  fair  : 
And  could  thofe  flames  fome  lovely  majd  deftroy, 
A  nation's  glory  and  a  parent's  joy  ? 
Could  babes,  fweet-fmiling,  claim  no  hand  to  fave,     if* 
But  find,  unwept,  a  furnace  for  a  grave  ? 

Thus  mourn'd  his  generous  heart  the  doom  fevere, 
And  paid  loft  Ai  the  tribute  of  a  tear. 
Like  ocean's  long,  deep  roar,  a  rufhing  found 
Burft  from  the  wood,  and  pour'd  along  the  ground  ;     \Co 
At  once  wide  trembled  o'er  the  awful  fields 
The  fudden  gleam  of  fpears,  and  helms,  and  fliields, 
Impetuous  roll'd  unfeen  the  rattling  car, 
And  banner'd  terrors  wav'd  th*  approach  of  war. 
Loud  rung  bold  Jrad's  voice  ;  the  dreadful  found         16$ 
Stopp'd  the  long  hoft,  and  tbook  th'  affrighted  ground  ; 
Thrice,  like  the  boifl  of  thunder,  hoarfe  he  cried  j 
Thrice,  flood  the  hoil ;  and  thrice  the  (kv  replied  : 

y 


." 


id  BOOK    VH. 

The  cry  wav'd  folemn  through  the  winding  vales  ; 

Night  (hook,  and  murmurs  hll'd  the  ruining  gales.     I/O 

The  ibuthern  guards  Toon  caught  the  boding  found, 

And  fpread  th*  alarm  the  ftartled  camp  around ; 

Loud  as  tall  billows  rend  the  rocky  more, 

Rofe  the  fonorous  clarion's  barfting  roar  : 

Swift  to  the  camp  the  hero  wing'd  his  way,  175 

Rous'd  all  the  holt,  and  fcatter'd  wild  difmay — 

Arm,  warriors,  arm  !  to  inftant  battle  fly  ! 

The  foe's  at  hand  1  ye  combat,  or  ye  die. 

Swift  to  thefe  tents  urmumber'd  bands  repair  ; 

Hark  !   how  the  trumpet  fills  the  troubled  air  I  180 

In  fouthern  fields  afcends  the  wafting  war, 

And  fierce  as  whirlwinds  rolls  the  rapid  car. 

Arm,  ere  our  camp  be  wrapp'd  in  one  broad  flame, 

And  Ifrael's  manly  thoufands  want  a  name, 

Thus,  round  the  holt,  his  animating  cry  185 

Urg'd  fleep's  oblivious  hand  from  every  eye  ; 

Each  waking  mind  the  ftrange  alarm  appalls  ; 

Arm,  warriors,  arm  !  each  ltartled  hero  calls : 

From  tent  to  tent  the  wild  confufion  flies  ; 

Shouts  rend  the  plains  ;   groans  murmur  ;  fhrieks  arife  ; 

j±  rufhing  i.oiie  invades  the  liftenkig  ear  ;  191 

In  fwift  luccetiioQ  half-feen  forms  appear  ; 

Shrill  rings  the  rattling  mail  ;  the  trump's  big  found 

Cleaves  the  dun  heaven,  and  (hakes  the  gloomy  ground. 

Tlound  a  broad  flame,  that,  by  the  Chief's  command, 

Shoots  lofty  fpire?,  and  gleams  along  the  fand,  J  96 

3)eep  throng  the  fquadrons  ;   high  the  ftandards  flream, 

And  wave,  and  glimmer,  in  the  livid  beam. 

There,  while  the  terrors  of  th:  lovely  fnir 

Froze  eve:y  breaft,  and  breath'd  a  wide  deCpair,  20© 

A  quickening  glow  the  Leader's  voice  infpir'd  ; 

ITufh'd  were  their  cries  ;   their  leflening  fears  retir'd  ; 

Through  every  bolbm  thrill'd  a  new  delight, 

And  Lr«c'~  each  fincw  for  the  m^nly  fi^kr 


BOOK      VK.  163 

Now,  rang'd  in  ranks,  the  hoft  expeftant  flood,        205 
Prepar'd  for  combat,  fteel'd  to  death  and  blood  ; 
Sudden,  before  the  Chief,  with  pantiog  breaft, 
The  generous  Youth  preferr'd  his  bold  requeft— = 
Near  Ai's  red  flames  I  fteer'd  my  carelefs  way, 
Robb'd  of  wifh'd  llumbers,  and  to  grief  a  prey,  2 1  o 

When  flieath'd  in  gleaming  arms,  a  mighty  train, 
Pour'd  from  the  wood,  and  cover'd  all  the  plain  : 
On  foaming  courfers,  chiefs  impel  the  war, 
Or  whirl  the  terrors  of  the  wafting  car. 
And  wilt  thou,  Chief  divine,  from  lrad  hear  2 1  g 

The  dictates  of  a  mind,  that  knows  no  fear  ? 
Shall  this  young  arm  again  the  lance  command. 
And  lead  to  fight  a  ftrong,  undaunted  band, 
To  Ai's  wide  ruins  wing  our  active  courle, 
And  tempt  the  fury  of  barbarian  force  r  220 

Shall  thine  unconquer'd  fvvord  the  camp  defend, 
And  ward  the  fate,  if  fname  our  fteps  attend  f 
Safe  in  thy  prudence  (hall  the  race  endure, 
And  Jofhua's  name  our  wives,  agd  fons  fecure. 
Lo,  drefs'd  in  fteel,  we  wait  thy  ruling  breath  !  225 

Counfel  is  ruin,  and  delay  is  death. 
Go,  in  Jehovah's  name-— the  Chief  replied--- 
Forth  ftalk'd  the  Youth,  and  warm'd  with  martial  pride  ; 
O'er  fouthern  fields  the  bands  appointed  fteer'd, 
Squar'd  in  juit  ranks,  and  not  a  warrior  fear'd.  230 

Now  where  Ai's  fons  beftrew'd  the  plain,  they  came, 
Faintly  iilumin'd  by  the  diftant  flame  ; 
No  foe  appear'd  :  the  world  more  gloomy  grew, 
And,  loft  in  clouds,  etherial  realms  withdrew  ; 
Save  where  lone  ftars  difFus'd  a  feeble  beam,  235 

Like  the  far  taper's  folitary  gleam  : 
Slow  winds  breath'd  hollow  through  the  dark  profound. 
And  deepening  horror  brooded  o'er  the  ground. 

Eaft  of  proud  Ai,  an  ancient  foreft  ftood, 
And  fouthwand  far  was  ftretch'd  the  lofty  wood  ;  zqc 


164  BOOK      VII, 

North  lay  fair  plains  ;  and  next  the  walls,  array'd 
With  fcatter'd  trees,  a  fpacious  level  fpread. 

Now  near  the  burning  domes,  the  fquadrons  Hood, 
Their  breafls  impatient  for  the  fcenes  of  blood  : 
On  every  face  a  death-like  glimmer  fate,  245 

The  unbiefs'd  harbinger  of  inftant  fate. 
High  thro*  the. gloom,  in  pale  and  dreadful  fpires, 
Rofe  the  long  terrors  of  the  dark-red  fires  ; 
Torches,  and  torrent  fparks,  by  whirlwinds  driven, 
Stream'd  thro'  the  fmoke,  and  fir'd  the  clouded  heaven. 
As  oft  tall  turrets  funk  with  rumin£  found,  251 

Broad  flames  burft  forth,  and  fweep  the  etherial  round, 
The  bright  expanfion  lighten'd  all  the  fcene, 
And  deeper  fhadovvs  lengthen'd  o'er  the  green. 
Loud  thro'  the  walls  that  cart  a  golden  gleam,  255 

Crown'd  with  tall  pyramids  of  bending  flame, 
As  thunders  rumble  down  the  dardcning  vales, 
Roll'd  thu  deep  l^Iernn  voice  of  rufhing  gales  : 
The  bands  admiring  gaz'd  the  wonderous  fight, 
And  Expectation  trembled  for  the  right.  260 

At  once  the  founding  clarion  breath'd  alarms  ; 
Wide  from  the  foreft  burft  the  flafa  of  arms  ; 
Thick  gleam'd  the  helms ;  and  o'er  aftoniftVd  fields, 
Like  thoufand  meteors,  role  the  flame-bright  Ihields. 
In  gloomy  pomp,  to  furious  combat  roll'd  265 

Ranks  fheath'd  in  mail,  and  chiefs  in  glimmering  gold  ; 
In  floating  luftre  bounds  the  dirn-feen  flced, 
And  cars   unfinifh'd,  fwift  to  cars  fucceed  : 
Prom  all  the  holt  afcends  a  dark-red  glare, 
Here  in  full  blaze,  in  diitaot  twinklings  there  ;  2-0 

Slow  waves  the  dreadful  light,  as  round  the  more 
Night's  folemn  blalls  w  ith  deep  concullion  roar, 
So  rufh'd  the  footiteps  or  tii'  embattled  train, 
And  feud  an  awful  murmur  o'er  the  plain. 

Tall  it  ':  '  ">ppo(ing  van,  bold  Irad  flood,  279 

And  bid  the  clarion  found  thje  voice  of  blood. 


i 


BOOK      VII.  165 

£oud  blew  the  trumpet  on  the  fweeping  gales, 
Rock'd  the  deep  groves,  ^and  echoed  round  the  vales ; 
A  ceafelefs  murmur  all  the  concave  fills,  (hills: 

Waves  thro'  the  quivering  camp,  and  trembles  o'er  the 
High  in  the  gloomy  blaze  the  ftandards  flew  ;  18  £ 

Th'  impatient  Youth  his  burniih'd  falchion  drew ; 
Ten-thoufand  iwords  his  eager  bands  difplay'd, 
And  crimfon  terrors  danc'd  on  every  blade. 
With  equal  rage,  the  bold,  Kazorian  train  285 

Pour'd  a  wide  deluge  o'er  the  fhadowy  plain  ; 
Loud  rofe  the  fongs  of  war.  loud  clang'd  the  fhields, 
Dread  fhouts  of  vengeance  ihook  the  ihuddering  fields; 
With  mingled  din,  thrill,  martial  mufic  rings, 
And  fwift  to  combat  each  fierce  hero  fprings.  290 

So  broad,  and  dark,  a  midnight  ftorm  afcends, 
Burfts  on  the  main,  and  trembling  nature  rends  ; 
The  red  foam  burns,  the  watery  mountains  rife, 
One  deep  unmeafur'd  thunder  heaves  the  fkies  ; 
The  bark  drives  lonely  ;  fhivering  and  forlorn,  295 

The  poor,  fad  failors  wife  the  lingering  morn  : 
Not  with  lei's  fury  rufh'd  the  vengeful  train  ; 
Not  with  lefs  tumult  roar'd  th'  imbartled  plain; 
Now  in  the  oak's  black  made  they  fought  conceal'd  ; 
And  now  they  (houted  thro'  the  open  field  ;  3C0 

The  long,  pale  fplendors  of  the  curling  flame 
Caft  o'er  their  polim'd  arms  a  livid  gleam  ; 
An  umber 'd  luftre  floated  round  their, way, 
And  lighted  falchions  to  the  fierce  affray. 
Now  the  fwift  chariots  'gainfl  the  ftubborn  oak  305 

33afh'd  ;  the  dark  earth  re-echoes  to  the  mock. 
From  fhade  to  fhade  the  forms  tremendous  ftream, 
And  their  arms  flam  a  momentary  flame. 
Mid  hollow  tombs,  as  fleets  an  airy  train, 
Loft  in  the  fkies,  or  fading  o'er  the  plain  ;  310 

So  vifionary  fnapes,  around  the  fight, 
Shoct  thro4  the  gloom,  and  vanifn'd  from  the  fight ; 


i6t  BOOK     vir. 

Thro*  twilight  paths  the  maddening  courfers  bound, 

The  fhrill  fwords  crack,  the  claming  fhield6  refound. 

There,  loll  in  grandeur  might  the  eye  behold  315 

The  dark-red  glimmerings  of  the  fteel,  and  gold  ; 

The  chief;  the  Heed  ;  the  nimbly-ruining  car  ; 

And  all  the  horrors  of  the  gloomy  *ar. 

Here  the  thick  clouds,  with  purple  luftre  bright,  319 

Spread  o'er  the  long  long  holt  and  gradual  funk  in  night ; 

Here  half  the  world  was  wrapp'd  in  rolling  fires. 

And  dreadful  vallies  funk  between  the  fpires. 

Swift  ran  black  forms  acrofs  the  livid  flame, 

And  oaks  wav'd  {lowly  in  the  trembling  beam  : 

Loud  rofe  the  mingled  noife  ;  with  hollow  found,         325 

Deep-rolling  whirlwinds  roar,  and  thundering  flames  re- 

As  drives  a  blaft  along  the  midnight  heath,        (found. 
Rufh'd  raging  Irad  on  the  fcenes  of  death  ; 
High  o'er  his  moulder  gleam'd  his  brandim'd  blade, 
And  fcatter'd  ruin  round  the  twilight  fhade.  3  jq 

Full  on  a  giant  hero's  fweepiig  car 
He  ponr'd  the  tempeft  of  reliefs  war  ; 
His  twinkling  lance  the  heathen  rais'd  on  high, 
And  hurl'd  it,  fruitlefs,  through  the  gloomy  flcy  ; 
JFrom  the  bold  Youth  the  maddening  courfers  wheel,  335 
Cafh'd  by  the  vengeance  of  his  flaughtering  fteel, 
5Twixt  two  tail  oaks  the  helplefs  chief  they  drew  ; 
The  fhrill  car  dafh'd  ;  the  crack'd  wheels  rattling  flew  ; 
Crufh'd  in  his  arms,  to  rife  he  flrove  in  vain, 
And  lay  unpitied  on  the  dreary  plain.  340 

Now  Samlah's  hands  to  war  the  chariot  guide, 
Fair,  beauteous,  tall,  fam'd  Hamor's  youngeft  pride  ; 
O'er  Achfaph's  towers  he  flretch'd  a  potent  fway, 
And  faw  furrounding  realms  his  rod  obey, 
Adnor,  an  elder  birth,  proud  grandeur  fpurn'd  ;  345 

Lord  of  his  foul,  inferior  realms  he  fcorn'd  ; 
Nor  felt  one  pang,  nor  fhew'd  one  envious  frown, 
7/he;i  doating  Age  to  $amlah  gave  the  crown. 


BOOK    VII,  »*? 

Bound  hit  young  fteps  he  caft  a  kind  furvey, 
And  taught  the  bleffings  of  an  equal  fway ;  330 

The  pride  of  arts  allur'd  him  to  purfue  ; 
To  wifdom  form'd  him,  and  to  virtue  drew  ; 
To  reafon's  rules  his  ftormy  paflions  wrought, 
And  fhone,  a  pattern  of  the  truths  he  taught. 

From  Jabin's  loins  a  matchlefs  virgin  fprung,  355 

And  every  voice  with  Salma's  praifes  rung. 
Her,  Adnor  led  to  mare  his  brother's  throne, 
And  made,  delighted,  Samlah's  blifs  his  own. 
Five  weeks  the  prince  beheld  in  tranfport  glide, 
Blefs'd  in  the  beauties  of  his  lovely  bride  :  36© 

Heedlefs  of  war  he  dwelt,  'till  Jabin's  voice 
Rous'd  him  to  arms,  and  call'd  to  ruder  joys. 

Now,  where  bold  had  fcatter'd  blood  and  fate, 
In  the  fame  car  the  friendly  brothers  fate  ; 
When  Adnor  thus— Oh  fly  yon  mifcreant's  arm  ;  36^ 

Nor  tempt  the  terrors  of  thefweeping  ftorml 
Its  wonted  aid  my  broken  fpear  denies-— 
With  a  fierce  look,  th'  impatient  youth  replies— 
Me  doft  thou  urge  to  bafe,  unmanly  flight  ? 
l*eap  from  the  chariot ;  hide  in  covering  night  ?         370 
Shall  Salma  hear  ?  mall  Samlah's  growing  name 
Wade  with  the  pangs  of  never-ending  mame  ? 
He  faid,  and  furious,  urg'd  his  rapid  car, 
Cruih'dthe  firm  ranks,  and  fhouted  to  the  war ; 
On  Irad's  courfe  he  drove  ;  the  hero  turn'd,  375 

£nd  a  brown  glimmering  from  his  buckler  burn'd  : 
'Twixt  the  bold  leaders  pour'd  an  ardent  band  ; 
Sword  clafh'd  oa  fword,  and  hand  role  up  to  hand  j 
They  fell  ;  new  fquadronso'er  their  corfes  rife. 
And  louder  tumults  echo  from  the  fkies.  38a 

Imperious  Samlah  lifts  a  haughty  Cry- 
Hence,  on  your  lives,  prefuming  daftards  fly  ! 
Who  dares  tranfgrefs  fhall  find  a  fudden  doom  : 
Cive  Samlah  place— -give  kings,  and  heroes  room— 


168  BOOK      Vlt. 

Hefpoke.     His  friends,  all  anxious  for  their  king,     385 

Still  crowd  the  war,  and  fwift  to  danger  fpring  ; 

Loud  fung  the  vengeance  of  his  pointed  flecl, 

And  a  bold  veteran,  deeply  wounded,  fell  ; 

Enrag'd,  the  bands  on  either  fide  retreat, 

And  leave  the  furious  monarch  to  his  fate.  390 

Swift  from  the  chariot  faithful  Adnor  fprang  ; 
On  Jrad's  fhield  his  ruining  falchion  rang  : 
The  Youth's  quick  wheeling,  thro  his  moulder  glides ; 
Drops  the  cleft  arm,  and  gufli  the  living  tides. 
He  funk  ;  and  Irad,  touch'd  with  pity,  cried—  395 

Ah  youth  !  whofe  bofom  glows  with  generous  pride, 
To  fcenes  of  endlefs  gloom  thy  fpirit  flies ; 
Wing,  wing  thy  voice,  for  pardon,  to  the  ikies  ! 
Oh,  Sire  of  all,  may  this  brave  warrior's  mind. 
In  life's  fair  climes,  fome  lowly  maniion  find  !  400 

He  fpoke.     The  chief  his  anfwering  mind  addrefs'd— 
If  foft  companion  warm  thy  friendly  brealt, 
Oh  hear  !   nor  fpurn  a  dying  brother's  prayer ! 
Let  Samlah's  tender  years  thy  pity  mare  ! 
Oh  may  a  fire,  a  bride,  thy  bofom  move  !  405 

The  charms  of  beauty,  and  the  calls  of  love  ! 
Thus  the  kind  youth,  and  fainting,  as  he  cried, 
He  liv'd  for  Samlah,  and  for  Samlah  died. 
So  frown'd  dread  night  on  Abraham's  fatal  plain, 
When  thou,  Montgomery,  pride  of  chiefs,  waft  flain. 
Spare,  fons  of  freedom  !  fpare  that  generous  tear  ;       411 
To  heaven  refign,  nor  name  the  doom  fevere-— 
Great,  brave,  and  jult,  to  ward  Columbia's  fliame, 
He  hunted  toil,  in  fields  of  growing  fame  ; 
Alive,  fair  Victory  ne'er  forfook  his  fide  ;  415 

He  liv'd  in  triumph,  and  in  glory  died. 
Still  bards  mail  fing,  to  earth's  remoteft  clime, 
He  bled  for  all,  and  every  heart  for  him. 

Glued  10  hi.s  fide,  t'  untimely  fate  a  prey, 
There  bright  Macpherfon  breath'd  his  life  away.         4*0 


fc   o  o  K    vii.  i&j 

kound  the  fair  youth  in  vain  foft  graces  glow'd, 

And  fcience  charm'd  him  to  her  fweet  abode; 

In  vain  fond  parents  hop'd  his  fteps  again, 

And  worth  approv'd,  and  realms  admir'd,  in  vain.' 

Yet  patriot  virtue  writes  the  glory  high,  425 

With  foch  a  chief,  in  fuch  a  eaufe,  to  die. 

Soft  fpoke  the  chief— O  youth  !  thy  virtuous  bloom 
Afk'd  a  lot  milder,  and  a  later  tomb. 
Is  there  no  biifsful  feat,  by  Heaven  a&gn'd 
To  the  fair  efforts  of  a  clouded  mind  ?  430 

To  life  well-acled,  can  no  grace  (apply 
A  fweet  remilfion,  and  a  happy  fky  ? 
But  thou,  bafe  coward,  claim  'ft  th'  avenging  iVord; 
Could'ft  thou  look  on,  and  fee  thy  brother  gor'd  ? 
That  befl  of  brothers,  whofe  concluding  breath  435 

Reftrains  the  falchion,  and  delays  thy  death  ? 
Pale  Samlah  heard,  and  o'er  t'h'  embodied  -wall 
He  rulh'd,  regardfefs  of  his  brother's  fall, 
From  rank  to  rank  with  panting  breaft  he  flew, 
Where  the  war  open'd,  and  the  courfers  drew  ;  440 

Behind,  fierce  Irad  drove  his  dreadful  way, 
And  left  at  diflance  far  the  pallid  ray  ; 
Ten  thoufand  fpears  around  him  pierce  the  gloom  ; 
Ten  thoufand  warriors  rum  to  haftening  doom  ; 
Through  the  black  ether  Onoky  volumes  flow,  443 

And  with  brown  light  their  fkirts  all-umber'd  glow  ; 
Far  o'er  conflicting  trains  the  flieets  defcend  ; 
The  deep  night  thickens,  and  the  fhades  extend. 

There  Uzal  brave  a  ftubborn  fight  maintain'd, 
And  crown'd  with  matchlefs  itrength,  retreat  difdain'd  ; 
Dan's  mighty  chief— On  Ai's  inglorious  plain,  45? 

When  vanquifh'd  Ifrael  left  their  kindred  /lain, 
His  flifT,  ftrong  buckler  brav'd  the  fierce  affray, 
Shelter'd  the  flight,  and  cover'd  all  the  way. 
Now,  in  the  centre,  fhrill  his  armour  rung,  45;^ 

Where  the  darts  fhower'd,  and  where  the  javelins  fung, 
Z 


ra  BOOK      VIL 

But  dill  his  dauntlefs  footfteps  onward  drove  ; 

Nor  throng'd  battalions  could  thofe  footfteps  move. 

On  all  fides  round,  a  thoufand  twilight  forms 

Invade  the  war,  and  ftrike  their  ringing  arms ;  460 

Here,  'gainft  the  chief,  prepar'd  to  pierce  his  foe, 

The  lance  unheeded  aim'd  the  fatal  blow ; 

There,  whilft  the  warrior  lilten'd  to  thT  alarm, 

High  o'er  his  helmet  hung  th'  uplifted  arm. 

Unnumber'd  bucklers  twinkle  round  the  field,  46$ 

In  light  now  dreadful,  now  in  fhades  conceal'd. 

Still  more  remote,  involv'd  in  deeper  gloom, 

Where  hands  unnotie'd  dealt  the  frequent  doom, 

Shelumiel  fought ;  the  prince  of  Simeon's  trains, 

Fam'd  in  the  contefts  of  a  thoufand  plains.  47^ 

Meantime,  dark  Hazor's  fons  to  battle  roll'd, 
And  vaft  Madonians,  wrapp'd  in  barbarous  gold: 
Thefe,  with  their  leaders,  near  the  dreadful  ray, 
Whirl'd  the  fwift  car,  and  drove  their  rapid  way. 
There,  drefs'd  in  gold,  tremendous  Jabin  fhone,  475 

And  wing'd  the  terrors  of  his  moving  throne. 
He  Hazor's  realms  with  mighty  fceptre  fway'd, 
And  his  proud  nod  unnumber'd  hofts  obey'd. 
A  genius  vaft,  with  cool  attention  join'd, 
To  wifdom  fafhion'd  his  fuperior  mind  :  4!* 

No  fcene  unnotie'd  'fcap'd  his  fearching  view  ; 
The  arts  of  peace,  and  arts  of  war,  he  knew  ; 
To  no  kind  with,  or  tender  tear,  a  prey  ; 
But  taught  by  keen  difcernment  equal  fway  : 
Intereft,  of  all  his  life  th'  unfhaken  guide,  485 

Lmuov'd  by  paflion,  and  unmov'd  by  pride. 
He  fLrft,  inventive,  to  the  waile  of  war 
Led  the  tall  fteed,  and  drove  the  dreadful  car. 
To  arms,  beneath  the  ftandard,  veterans  train'd, 
And  every  movement,  every  feint,  explain'd:  49* 

Clofe,  left  his  conducl  watchful  chiefs  l>iou Id  arm  ; 
Slow  to  decide,  and  vigorous  to  perform  ; 


BOOK      VII.  171 

W'thfirm,  fierce  bravery  forc'd  his  foes  to  By, 
Ar.d  gave  one  Iaw---to  conquer,  or  to  die. 

Now  his  great  mind,  by  long  fuccefles  fiVd,  495 

To  matchlefs  fame,  and  fingle  rule,  afpir'd  ; 
In  the  fame  caufe,  beneath  his  banner  join'd, 
His  voice,  His  art,  this  countlefs  hoft  combin'd, 
In  night's  concealing  hour,  prepar'd  th'  aifray, 
And  promis'd  triumph,  ere  the  dawning  ray.  50* 

High  in  his  flame-bright  car  his  fpear  he  rais'd  ; 
A  crimfon  glory  from  his  armour  blaz'd  ; 
Conquer,  he  cried,  or  fall,  ye  dauntlefs  bands, 
The  nobleft  heroes  of  a  thoufand  landf. 
Shall  this  brave  hoft  to  Ifrael  yield  the  night?  505 

Few  in  their  numbers ;  timorous  in  the  fight- 
Shall  we,  inglorious,  blot  our  ancient  fame  .? 
Forbid  it  virtue,  and  forbid  it  fhame  . 
L-0  here  the  man,  yechofe  to  guide  your  path, 
Prepar'd  for  glory,  or  prepared  for  death  ;  510 

This  arm  mall  guide  you  through  the  daftard  band  ; 
Firft  in  the  fight,  as  firfl  in  fway,  1  ftand. 

He  fpoke,  and  fiercely  wing'd  his  rapid  car; 
As  fierce  the  fquadrons  rufh  to  gloriocs  war  ; 
All  droppM  the  javelin  ;  all  the  falchion  wheel'd  ;     51^ 
A  copious  (laughter  drench'd  the  glimmering  field  ; 
From  their  dire  arms  a  fearful  fplencor  came, 
And  o'er  their  faces  wav'd  the  gloomy  "Same. 
Hand  join'd  to  hand,  the  .vengeful  thousands  rag'd  ; 
Man  challeng'd  man,  and  fword  with  fwordengag'd  ;'yzo 
The  victors  rufh'd  ;  the  pierc'd  in  anguifh  cried  ; 
No  flight ;  no  fear  ;   they  conquer'd,  or  they  died  ; 
For  Tfrael's  dauntlefs  fons  maintain'd  the  field, 
And  chief  with  chief  the  dread  afiault  repell'tf  ; 
Round  thewiid  region  mingled  horrors  leign'd  ;  525 

Nor  thofe  would  yield,  nor  thefe  the  victory  gain'd. 

Firft,  in  the  van,  imperious  Jabin's  car 
Bore  down  whole  troops,  and  broke  the  thickening  war. 


i72  BOOK      VII. 

High  o'er  the  reft  his  dreadful  voice  was  heard  ; 

High  o'er  the  reft  his  lofty  form  appear'd  ;  530 

His  fhield,  a  crimfon  moon,  before  himfpread, 

And  o'er  his  vifage  hovering  horrors  play'd  ; 

His  fteeds,  like  rapid  winds,  impatient  flew  ; 

His  fword  the  firft,  his  fpear  the  diftant,  flew  ; 

Round  the  dark  chariot  countlefs  weapons  hung,  535 

And  groans,  with  fullen  murmur,  ceafelefs  rung  ; 

Rank  after  rank  he  turn'd  to  hated  flight, 

And  joyful  Hazor  throng'd  the  ftubborn  fight. 
Before  this  dreadful  path,  two  heroes  fought, 

And  warm'd  with  vengeance,  countlefs  wonders  wrought. 

Sons  of  one  fire,  that  in  the  defert  fell,  541 

When  impious  Korah  bade  the  hoft  rebel. 

The  helplefs  orphans  generous  Caleb  bred, 

In  arms  inftruded,  and  to  combat  led. 

With  mutual  rlame  their  friendly  bofoms  lov'd  ;  545 

|n  peace  together  liv'd,  in  war  together  mov'd. 

Now,  fide  to  fide,  the  manly  heroes  flood, 
And  fable  torrents  from  their  falchions  flow'd  ; 
When  Shammah  thus---thou  beft  of  friends,  behold 
Yon  heathen's  car,  in  gloomy  terror  roll'd.  55* 

How  his  fierce  courfers  wing  their  rapid  way  ! 
How  his  keen  falchion  cleaves  the  yielding  prey  ! 
Say,  mall  our  force  the  mighty  Chief  defy, 
His  arm  experience,  and  his  falchion  try  ? 
Or  death,  or  triumph,  (hall  the  deed  await ;  555 

And  what  is  death,  in  Ifrael's  dubious  fate  ? 

To  prove  fierce  danger  for  his  maker's  laws, 
And  profTer  life  to  fave  his  country's  caufe, 
Thou  know'ft,  brave  chief,  Seraiah  quick  replied  — 
The  good  man's  duty,  ^nd  the  brave  man's  price.      56c 

He  fpoke,  and  fiercely  plunging  thro'  the  war, 
Hew'd  a  wide  path,  and  burft  upon  the  car; 
Nor  Shammah  ftay'd.     O  1  Jabtn's  fpacious  fhiel4 
fiis  rapid  lance  Seraiah's  hand  impell'd  ; 


B    O    OK      VII.  173 

Thro'  the  thick  orb  the  point  no  paffage  found,  565 

Its  (hade  dark-quivering  in  the  flamy  round. 

With  a  fhgrt  flalh,  acrofs  the  thickening  air 

The  furious  Heathen  drove  the  greedy  fpear ; 

Swift  cm  Seraiah's  helmet  funk  the  fteel  ; 

His  red  arms  rang  ;  the  hero  groan'd  and  fell.  i  570 

With  pangs,  bold  Sharnmah  faw  his  brother's  doom, 

And  wheel'd  his  fiery  falchion  thro'  the  gloom  ; 

From  Jabin's  hand  a  fecond  javelin  fped, 

Sung  thro'  his  ear,  and  pierc'd  his  gufhing  head ; 

Shrill  rofe  the  conqueror's  fhout ;  and  all  around        57$ 

The  plains  remurmur,  and  the  woods  refound. 

Now,  more  remote  from  Ai's  decreasing  light, 
Slow  moy'd  a  giant  to  the  dreadful  fight. 
As  when  dun  fmoke,  o'er  all  th*  horizon  fpread, 
Pours  round  the  fetting  moon  a  crimfon  made,  580 

Diftain'd  with  blood,  her  broad,  and  dreadful  eye 
Looks  death,  and  ruin,  from  the  Ihuddering  fky  : 
So  gleams  the  circuit  of  his  flame-bright  fnield, 
And  caftswide  terror  thro*  the  quaking  field, 
A  beam-like  fpear  commands  his  horrid  way,  5S5 

And  all,  before  him,  fhun  the  dire  affray. 

And  now  fierce  Ifrael's  fons,  with  fad  furprize, 
To  find  brave  Irad  turn'd  their  boding  eyes. 
Far  round  they  gaz'd  ;  his  form  no  more  appear'd  ; 
They  liften'd  ;  but  his  voice  no  more  was  heard.         590 
Then  every  bcfom  fudden  fears  appal  ; 
Their  nerves  all  fliffen,  and  their  falchions  fall  ; 
A  timorous  fight  their  frozen  hands  fuftain, 
And  fighs,  and  backward  looks,  confefs  their  pain. 
With  fhouts  of  triumph,  fwifc  the  Heathens  roll'd,        505 
And  a  bright  terror  flanYd  from  flamy  gold  ; 
A  thoufand  moony  fhields  before  them  barn'd  ; 
Ranks  fell  at  once,  and  troops  to  flight  were  turn'd; 
Each  fatal  ftep  increa^'d  the  piles  of  flain, 
And  boundlefs  ruin  ravag'd  all  the  plain,  600 


■  74-  BOOK      VII. 

As  when  a  dorm  in  midnight  pomp  extends, 

And  a  broad  deluge  on  the  world  defcends, 

From  deep  to  fteep,  difdaining  every  goal, 

SwelPcI  with  hoarfe  thunders,  mountain-torrents  roll  ; 

The  vales  all  echo  to  the  dreadful  found  ;  605 

The  torne  rocks  roar  ;  the  cracking  trees  refound. 

Meantime  bold  Irad  far  had  crofs'd  the  fight, 
And  Samlah  vanifh'd  with  aufpicious  flight ; 
Round  the  dread  region  gaz'd  the  Youth  ferene, 
And  eyed  the  grandeur  of  the  folemn  fcene.  61  o 

Unnumber'd  phantoms  crowd  the  dufky  war  ; 
The  half-feen  hero,  and  unfiniuYd  car : 
Black  were  the  (hades,  as  midnight  in  the  tomb, 
And  floating  glimmerings  fpread  a  fearful  gloom. 
Now  roll'd  the  diftaditories  an  awful  found  ;  61 5 

Mow  nearer  clamors  fhook  th'  embattled  groim,d. 
At  once,  from  weftern  £elds,  a  fhout  afcends  ; 
The  plains  all  tremble,  and  the  concave  rends : 
Quick  turn'd  the  chief,  while  fad  alarms  infpire, 
And  faw  dark  forms,  that  pafs'd  along  the  fire  ;  620 

Slow  tow'rd  the  camp  the  fhouting  fquadrons  move, 
And  long  pale  fpires  tremendous  wave  above. 

Ah  wretch  !  he  cried— to  childifn  heat  a  prey  ! 
How  foon  wild  paflion  drove  my  fteps  aitray  ! 
What  chief,  lefs  vain,  fhall  lay  th'  increafiog  fear  ?      625 
Who  cheer  the  bands,  my  piefence  ought  to  cheer  ? 
Ah  !  fhould  difgrace,  and  dire  defeat,  enfue, 
No  more  this  guilty  face  fhall  Jofliua  view  ; 
Thefe  eyes  ne'er  open  on  a  holt  undone, 
Eut  death,  or  glory,  by  this  arm  be  won.  630 

Thus  as  he  fpoke,  he  crofs'd  the  deep  array  ; 
To  his  known  form  they  yield  an  eafy  way  : 
Red  flafh  his  arms  ;  and  hi^h  above  the  Held, 
Gleams  the  drear  luftre  of  his  orbed  fhield. 
So,  pale,  and  dreadful,  thro'  the  midnight  made,         6^5 
"Sails  a  broad  meteor  o'er  the  mountain's  head  : 


book  vir.  iff 

Dim  rife  the  cliffs ;_  and  on  the  kindling  air, 

Stream  the  long  terrors  of  its  fanguine  hair. 

His   voice  refounding  thro*  the  gloomy  fight, 

Reviv'd  their  ftrength,  and  turn'd  th'  increasing  flight.     • 

Fly,  daflards,  fly  ;  defert  your  Maker's  laws  ;  641 

Your  name  difhonor  ;  yield  your  country's  caufe; 

But  come,  ye  friends  of  Ifrael's  injur  d  name, 

Sons  of  the  fkies,  and  heirs  of  deathlefs  fame  ! 

Know,  round  the  diftant  plains,  by  chiefs  infpir'd,      645 

By  virtue  prompted,  and  by  vengeance  ftr'd, 

Bold,  manly  warriors,  never  taught  to  yield. 

Cleave  their  fell  foes,  and  fweep  the  dufty  field  ; 

Let  this  bright  pattern  every  breaft  inflame; 

Here  lift  yourfwords,  where  Irad  leads  to  fame.  650 

Thus  every  rank  his  voice  invites  to  arms  ; 
His  prefence  actuates  ;  his  example  charms  ; 
From  band  to  band,  with  nimble  courfe,  he  flies, 
Wheels  the  long  holt,  and  wakes  intenfer  cries  ; 
I'hick  flam  the  falchions ;  thick  the  javelins  rain  ;     655 
And  mooting  banners  tremble  o'er  the  plain ; 
In  every  fee ne,  alert,  the  youih  appears ; 
Each  chief,  each  rank,  his  cry  with  tranfporc  hears  ; 
Shouts  fiercely  burfting  liftening  earth  appall, 
And  hovering  Conqueft  yet  fufpends  her  fall.  66% 

And  now  bold  Irad,  thro'  the  thickeft  war,. 
Drove  the  tall  chief,  and  darkly  rolling  car, 
When,  lo  !  the  giant  full  before  him  flood, 
Involv'd  in  death,  and  cover'd  o'er  with  blood  : 
Like  fome  vaft  wave,  approach'd  the  horrid  form,      665 
Heedlefs  of  fpears,  aud  raptur'd  with  the  florm. 
His  wonderous  fize  th'  admiring  Youth  beheld, 
And  fnatch'd  a  lance  that  glitter'd  on  the  field  ; 
Loud  rang  the  weapon  on  the  monger's  brow  ; 
Backward  he  quick  recoil'd,  and  bending  low,  6?Q 

Stood  daggering.     Jrad  wav'd  his  dreadful  fword, 
Springing  impetuous;  fwift  between  them  pour'd 


*7*  BOOK    VIT. 

Two  gloomy  chariots,  of  their  lords  defpoil'd, 

And  fierce  around  thern  thoufand  heroes  toil'd : 

No  more  the  chief  could  find  his  deftin'd  prey,  67c. 

But  turn'd,  as,d  mingled  in  the  fierce  affray. 

Now  loud,  and  folemn,  thro'  the  rearing  vales 
owell'd  the  hoarfe  murmurs  of  the  founding  gales, 
With  deep  confufion  (hook  the  cliff's  tali  brow, 
And  rufh'd  tempeftuous  on  the  world  below  ;  6gc 

From  grove  to  grove  the  blaft  impatient  flies, 
Kends  the  iliffoak,  and  howls  along  the  fkies, 
On  Ai's  broad  flames,  with  wild  dominion,  falls, 
And  pours  ten  thoufand  thunders  round  her  walls. 
More  wide",  more  bright,  the  folding  fires  afcend,         685 
Heave  the  dunfmcke,  and  far  in  ether  bend  ; 
The  glittering  brands,  by  rapid  whirlwinds  driven, 
Stream,  like  dim  meteors,  o'er  the  blacken'd  heaven  ; 
Swift  through  the  woods  red  paths  expanding  roll  j 
Long  heavy  volumes  thicken  round  the  pole  ;  690 

From  all  the  concave  fparks  in  torrents  rain, 
And  fiery  tempefls  rufk  along  the  plain. 

Far  through  the  groves  the  furious  flames  had  fpread, 
And  thoufand  fires  rofe  fcatter'd  in  the  made, 
Ere  Hazor's  bands  (fo  eager  rag'd  the  fight)  695 

JBehcld,  wiih  fad  amaze,  the  fearful  fight. 
Then  Jabin's  voice,  terrific,  bade  retire, 
And  the  glaJ  warriors  fled  the  widening  fire. 
Ifrael  purfued  ;  but  Jabin's  deathful  arm 
Whole  troops  repelPd,  and  brav'd  the  wafting  ftorm  :?oo 
With  the  fierce  giant,  o'er  the  rear  he  rofe, 
And  cool'd  the  vengeance  of  his  ardent  foes, 
Then  to  the  fight,  that  Hill,  with  dreadful  fway, 
JRenteaftcrn  plains,  brave  Iradwing'd  his  way. 
Pa  tof the  foes,  that  in  the  wood  remaiu'd,  705 

Had  fled  the*  heat,  and  fale  receflfes  gain'd  ; 
Part,  lodg'd  in  open  fields,  maintain'd  the  war, 
And  fhout3  rebellow'd  core  the  murmuring  air. 


fe    O    O    K      VIII.  \ij 

Sudden,  o'er  all  the  bands,  refounda  a  cry--- 

I  led  are  our  friends ;  we  conquer,  or  we  die  :  710 

Lo  round  the  wood  the  kindling  torrents  burn  ; 

Fix  here  our  ranks  ;  no  warrior  can  return— 

Then  fierce  defpair  the  dauntlefs  bofom  fir'd/ 
Wing'd  the  keen  falchion,  and  the  arm  infpir'd  ; 
The  chiefs  exhorted,  threaten'd,  fhouted,  cried  ;  7I5 

The  ranks  rulh'd  onward,  met  the  fteel,  and  died  ; 
For  Ifrael's  foris  a  movelefs  fight  maintain, 
Glued  to  the  field,  and  cleaving  man  to  man  ; 
Brave  Irad's  dreadful  voice  the  heroes  arm'd, 
Strung  every  nerve,  and  every  weapon  warm'd ;  720 

On  friend,  and  foe,  alike  the  blind  fword  fell ; 
And  the  fon  funk  beneath  the  parent's  Heel. 
Wild,  and  more  wild,  the  ruin  rag'd  around  ;       (ground  ; 
Shouts  rung  ;  groans  rhurmur'd  ;  thunders  rock'd  the 
Through  the  rent  concave  rulK'd  the  loud  acclaim,       725 
Sweli'd  with  the  roaring  wind,  and  fierce  refounding  flame, 
At  length  a  heathen's  voice-— Retire,  retire, 
Where  yon  bl&rk  opening  parts  the  raging  fire- 
Quick,  at  the  found,  along  the  glimmering  (hade, 
Thro'  the  wide  foreft  panting  heroes  fled>  73^ 

In  different  courfes,  where  the  moory  ground  • 
Cleft  the  deep  blaze,  and  form'd  a  verdant  mound. 
Swift  as  the  rapid  blaft,  the  youthful  train 
Nimbly  precipitated  o'er  the  plain  ; 
On  every  fide,  the  flames,  with  wild  career  715 

Roar'd  near  their  path,  and  added  win2oCO  fea*  J 
None  turrt'd  a  gazing  eye  ;  but,  witv  olefs'd  flight, 
Stream'd  thro'  the  grove,  »***  fca,r'd  tne  vengeful  light. 

Behind.  ^*  path  psi'e  age  rr^re  flow  dragg'd  on, 
An^  wifn'd;  in  vain,  impending  fate  to  ihun  ;  t^j. 

iVow  here,  now  there,  with  feeble  Hepsf  they  turn'd  ; 
ind  here,  and  there,  the  fire  terrific  biirn'd, 
^  a     '  -1'  -round 


»7  BOOK      VI. 

Pell  thundering.     Kindled  ruins  hedg'd  their  path;     745 
Behind  them  fwift  purfued  the  blazing  death  ; 
Before,  bcfide,  and  bending  o'er  their  head, 
The  bright,  and  fcorching  fplendors  fiercely  play'd  ; 
Weak,  and  more  weak,  the  cries  of  anguifh  came, 
J)rown'd  in  the  roaring  fury  of  the  flame.  759 

To  the  dire  foreft  Ifrael's  fons  purfued, 
And  heathen  blood  their  reeking  fwords  imbrued  ; 
-   Then  by  the  chiefs  command  return'd  from  fight, 
Th'  attentive  fquadrons  eyed  the  wondrous  fight, 
Far  found  the  dreadful  region,  trees  on  high,  755 

Wave  their  tall  blazing  fummits  in  the  iky  ; 
Thro'  the  dark  air,  in  crimfon  terror,  fail 
Broad  fheets  of  flame,  and  bend  along  the  gale  ; 
Loud,  and  more  loud,  the  raging  whirlwind  pours  ; 
From  wood  to  wood  the  ruftiing  deluge  roars ;  76ft 

Then,  up  vafl  eaftern  hills  with  fury  driven, 
Rolls  o'er  aerial  cliffs,  and  kindles  heaven  : 
The  mountain  groves,  a  long,  long  ridge  of  fire, 
Shoot  their  tall  flames,  and  thro'  the  clouds  afpire. 
O'er  dim-feen  rocks,  brown  plains,  and  glimmering  iheams 
floats  the  pale  luftre  of  the  trembling  beams  ;  7C6 

*N  Tae  camp  aftonifh'd  cafh  a  quivering  gaze, 

Ancidirtant.  towns  are  loft  in  dumb  amaze  : 
Retir'i  the  fquadrons,  range  in  dread  array, | 
And  watcu  the  fplendors  of  approaching  day.--*  77a 


THE 


CON  aU  EST     of   "CANAAN. 


BOOK        VIII. 


Argument. 


Morning*  fojhua  joins  Irad.  Jobab*  s  character,  and 
challenge.  Irad  accepts  it,  and  kills  Jobab.  Battle, 
Irad  kills  Samlah,  and  engages  Jabin.  His  death.  Ju- 
dah  routed  with  great  f aught  er.  Death  of  Uzal,  and 
Shelumiel.  Caleb,  with  a  large  diuijion,  marches 
tut,  rallies  Judah,  and  renews  the  battle.  Irad's  death 
throws  the  whole  army  into  confufion.  Jojbua  injpirits 
the*n>  and  makes  great  havoc  of  the  enemy .  Zimri's  ex- 
ploits. He  kills  the  king  of  the  Hittites,  end  routs  them. 
Jojhua  kills  the  king  of  Shimron,  and  routs  the  centre, 
Jabin,  perceiving  the  other  divifions  of  the  army  defeat- 
ed, orders  a  retreat,  which  is  performed  with  regularity, 
jfoftua's  lamentation  over  Ir*d,  Sane  of  Selima's  dif- 
trefs  at  the  fight  of  his  corpfe.     Evening. 


Tue    CONQUEST     of     CANAAN, 
BOOK      YllL 


O'ER  mifty  hills  the  day-ftar  led  the  morn, 
And  flreaming  light  in  heaven  began  to  burn; 
Wide  fcenes  of  woe  the  boundlefs  blaze  difplay'd, 
Where  the  fleel  triumph'd,  and  the  deluge  fpread. 
On  wafted  plains  unnumber'd  corfes  lay,  j 

And  fmokes  far  fcatter'd  elimb'd  upon  the  day, 
Still  clouded  flames  o'er  eaftern  mountains  rife, 
And  Ai's  broad  ruins  fadden  all  the  fkies. 

When  lo  !  in  glimmering  arms,  and  black  array, 
Like  ftorms  low-hovering  in  th'  etheriatl  way,  10 

Far  round  the  north  a  gloomy  cloud  afcends, 
Irs  horror  deepens,  and  its  breadth  extends. 
Compact  and  firm,  as  mov'd  by  one  great  foul, 
A  front  immenfe,  the  widening  fquadrom  roll  ; 
Thick  moot  the  fpears ;  the  trembling  helmets  beam, 
And  waving  bucklers  call  a  moony  gleam.  16 

As  the  dire  comet,  fwift  through  ether  driven, 
In  folemn  filence  climbs  the  weftern  heaven  ; 
His  fanguine  hair,  portending  fearful  wars, 
Streams  down  the  midnight  fey,  and  blots  the  fiars ;      20 
Pale  death  and  terror  light  the  d-jfky  gloom, 
And  quivering  nations  read  their  fudden  doom, 


i3z  book     virr. 

So  In  the  flaming  van  great  Jofhuarofe, 

And  fhot  red  glories  on  the  wondeiing  foes. 

At  his  command  the  trumpet  founded  high,  2 - 

Aerial  enfigns  dancing  in  the  iky  ; 

Near  and  more  near,  they  trac'd  a  dreadful  way, 

Join'd  Irad's  hofc,  and  Mretcn'd  in  long  array. 

From  Hazor's  ranks  that  now  before  the  wood, 
In  three  embattled  fquares,  refulgent  flood,  30 

Great  jobab  flroce.     In  Madon's  realms  he  reign'd  : 
Red  was  his  eye,  his  brow  with  blood  diftain'd  ; 
A  beam  his  fpear ;  his  vafr,  expanded  fhield 
Shot  a  bright  morning  o'er  the  crimfon  field  ; 
His  head  fublime  a  mighty  helmet  crown'd  ;  3  - 

His  quivering  plumes  with  fable  horror  frown'd  ; 
Six  cubits  from  the  earth,  he  rais'd  his  frame; 
His  with  was  battle,  and  his  lire  was  fame. 

Proud  was  his  father  ;  prouder  was  the  fon  :  39 

Nought  mov'd  his  pride  ;  the  tear,  nor  piercing  groan  : 
UnmatchM  his  force,  he  claim'd  a  match Jefs  fame, 
And  every  combat  deckM  his  brightening  name. 
Princes,  his  captiv'd  fiaves,  before  him  bow'd, 
Stalk'd  in  his  train,  and  round  his  chrriot  rode ; 
While  their  fair  partners,  ftrfl  in  triumph  led,  45 

Held  the  rich  cup,  or  grac'd  the  brutal  bed. 
Oft  had  furronnding  realms  his  aid  recuir'd, 
Ere  Zimri's  hand  Ai's  haplefs  turrets  fir'd  ; 
But  Hill  their  prayers,  and  flill  their  gifts  were  vain, 
Till  Jofhua's  glory  rous'd  his  fierce  difdain.  ^o 

Elfe  had  no  proffer  mov'd  his  haughty  mir.d, 
Thatdeem'd  himfel;  tie  champion  of  mankind, 
When  the  joint  wifhes  of  the  various  band 
To  nobler  Jabin  gave  the  firft  command. 
But  Jofhua's  triumphs  fiiPd  his  anguifh'd  ear  ; 
Fir'd  at  the  found,  hefnatch'd  the  dcathfui  fpear, 
Refolv'd  at  once  to  prove  the  hero's  |nighjt, 
And  claim,  alone,  the  wreaths  cf  finglc  ft^ht, 


>S 


BOOK     viii.  m 

yTwas  he,  wlien  Irad  rais'd  his  dreadful  voice, 

And  inmoft  Hazor  trembled  at  the  soife,  6® 

When  prudent  Jabin  urg'd  a  nightly  florm, 

Ere  the  Youth's  voice  the  {lumbering  camp  Ihould  arm : 

Bade  his  vafl  fquadrons  in  the  wood  delay, 

Nor  lift  a  fpear,  till  morn  fhould  lead  the  day. 

Shall  this  brave  hofl  th'  unmanly  path  purfue,  65 

■Fight  ambufh'd  foes,  ana  bafely  creep  from  view  ? 

Shall  Jobab,  like  the  thief,  to  conqneil  ileal, 

And  bravery  call,  what  coward  minds  can  feel  ? 

And  now,  from  Jabin  the  proud  chief  demands, 
To  lead,  as  iirfl  in  place,  the  central  bands.  7« 

He,  coolly  wife;  rehVns  the  fhadowy  name, 
And,  pleas'd  with  fubflance,  boails  a  nobler  fame 

Forth  from  the  hoil,  in  ileely  pomp,  he  ftrode, 
And  'twixt  th*  embattled  lines  fublrmely  flood. 
His  towering  fxride,  vafl  height,  and  awful  arms  75 

Chill'd  all  his  foes,  and  fcatter'd  wide  alarms : 
When  thus  the  chief— Ye  fonsof  Ifrael  know 
The  dauntlefs  challenge  of  no  common  foe. 
If  in  your  hofl  three  heroes  can  be  found, 
(Be  Jofhuaone]  to  tempt  this  dangerous  ground*  B« 

Here  mall  they  learn  what  llrength  informs  the  brave, 
And  find  no  God  can  mieldthem  from  the  grave. 

Stung  with  the  infult  caft  upon  his  God, 
To  the  great  Leader  Irad  nimbly  flrode, 
And  thus— Shall  yonder  heathen's  haughty  cry  8$ 

Dare  Ifrael's  hofl,  and  Ifrael's  God  defy  ? 
Let  me  this  boafcer  whelm  in  inflant  fhame, 
Avenge  my  nation's  caufe,  my  Maker's  name. 

Exalted  Youth!   the  fmiling  Chief  replied, 
This  elder  arm  fhall  crop  his  towering  pride.  ^3 

— *n-  has  manhood  fix'd  her  feat ; 
-•timely  fate. 


184  BOOK      Vltf. 

Brave  as  thou  art,  his  drength  mud  win  the  fight. 
And  IfraeP*  glory  fink  in  endlefs  nighr. 

Think  not,  he  cried,  of  Irad's  tender  age,  '  93 

Nor  heed  the  mockery  of  yon  heathen's  rage. 
This  hand,  though  young,  ihall  boait  a  conquering  day  ; 
Blind  is  wild  rage,  and  pride  an  eafy  prey. 
Here  too  (hall  Jolhua's  potent  prayers  be  given, 
And  the  blefs'd  aid,  that  Virtue  hopes  from  Heaven.  100 
Should  Irad  perim,  none  the  wound  (hall  know  ; 
Should  Jolhua  fall,  our  race  is  whelm'd  in  woe  : 
Heaven  gave  his  choien  to  thy  guardian  care* 
To  rule  In  peace,  to  fave  in  dangerous  war  ; 
On  thee  alone  our  fates  fafpended  lie,  io~J 

With  thee  we  flourifh,  and  with  thee  we  die* 

Oh  bed  of  youths  !  provoke  not  hady  doom, 
Nor  rulh  impetuous  to  an  early  tomb. 
I  lov'd  thy  fire,  the  good,  the  jud,  the  brave— - 
And  (hall  this  voice  confign  thee  to  the  grave?  lie 

Swift  thy  name  ripens  imo  matchlefs  praife  ; 
My  fon,  mychofen,  dill  prolong  thy  days. 
In  future  fields  thy  arm  (hall  brighter  (hine  j 
Thine  be  the  glory,  but  the  danger  mine. 

Ah  grant  my  wi(h  !  th'  impatient  Youth  replies,      If  J 
While  two  full  tears  ftand  glidening  in  his  eyes-— 
This  arm,  unhurt,  mail  bid  the  monfler  bleed  ; 
Angels  will  guard  my  courfe,  and  Heaven  fucceed. 
My  fpear,  when  night  her  latelt  darknefs  fpread, 
Had  funk  him  breathlefs  in  the  field  of  dead  ;  tzc 

But  fome  kind  fpiri:  fav'd  his  life,  till  morn 
Should  grace  the  fight,  and  Irad's  name  adorn. 
Aid  me,  oh  aid  me,  Hezron's  every  friend  I 
Your  voice,  your  wiJhes,  mull  the  LeaJer  bend. 

Won  by  his  earned  cries,  the  generous  Chief  12: 

Forc'd  hisconfent  ;  but  could  not  hide  his  grief. 
A  figh  deals  filent  from  his  bleeding  bread, 
As  hhs  flo^v  tongue  permits  the  &  ' 


BOOK      VIIL  SS$ 

Wrapp'd  in  bright  arms,  while  fmiles  his  joy  reveal'd. 
The  Youth  ftaik'd  fearlefs  o'er  the  horrid  field  ;  130 

The  hoft,  with  rapture,  view'd  his  lofty  ftride, 
The  leap  alert,  the  port  of  confcious  pride; 
But  each  grave  chief,  by  long  experience  wife, 
With  faltering  accent,  to  his  comrade  cries  — 
I  fear,  [  fear,  left,  on  the  bloody  fand,  £35 

The  bold  Youth  perifh,  by  yon  monfter's  hand. 
What  bravery  can,  fair  Irad  will  perform, 
But  can  the  opening  floweret  meet  the  (lorm  ? 
Ah,  that  fuch   ivveetnefs,  fuch  etherial  fire 
Should  fall,  the  vicYim  of  a  heathen's  ire  1  140 

Thy  votary's  courfe,  all-gracious  Heaven,  furvey  \ 
Let  fome  kind  angel  hover  round  his  way  ! 

Now  near  the  fcene  bold  Irad  urg'd  his  courfe, 
Where  Jobab  triumph'd  in  refiftlefs  force  ; 
When  the  huge  warrior,  fwell'd  with  angry  pride,       14^ 
With  bended  brow,  and  voice  contemptuous,  cried-- - 
Art  thou  the  champion  of  thy  vaunting  race  ? 
Shall  this  poor  viclory  Jobab's  falchion  grace  ? 
Go,  call  great  Jofhua,  long  to  war  inui  'd, 
Whofe  arm  hath  toils,  whofe  {kill  hath  hefts  endur'd,  150 
Writh  him,  ten  chiefs  ;   this  hand  fhall  crufh  them  all  ; 
Shame  ftains  the  Heel,  that  bids  a  ftripling  fall ; 
Retire,  ere  vengeance  on  thy  helmet  light ; 
Fly  to  yon  troop,  and  fave  thy  life  by  flight. 

His  haughty  foe  the  Youth  undaunted  heard  ;  155 

Vain,  empty  threats  his  bofom  never  fear'd  ; 
O'er  the  vaft  form  he  turn'd  his  fmiling  eyes, 
And  faw  unmov'd  the  livid  vengeance  rife* 
Then,  with  a  rpfv  blufh  of  confcious  worth, 
Calm  from  his  tongue  his  manly  voice  broke  forth-—  160 
Dq  threats  like  thefe  become  a  hero's  voice? 
Can  courage  find  a  vent  in  empty  noife  .? 
To  every  brave  man  give  the  weU-earn'd  praife, 
Nor  think  on  feoffs  a  bright  renown  to  faife  ; 
B  b 


tff#  B;    O    O    K      W& 

True  bravery  claims  a  noble  generous  fame  ;  \C"-. 

2Sut  the  bafe  wretch  from  vaunts  expecls  his  name. 

Let  mame,  let  truth,  thofe  coward  words  recall ; 

Thou  fcek'it  my  life  ;  I  glory  in  thy  fall. 

To  me  thy  pride  to  me  thy  threats  are  vain  ; 

Heaven  fees  alons  whofe  arm  the  prize  mall  gain.        170 

And  know,  wheree'er  may  light  his  angry  rod, 

I  fear  no  boafter  that  denes  my  God. 

Now  ihield  to  fhield,  and  lance  to  lance,  they  Hand  ; 

Wuh  taunts  imperious  fhout  the  heathen  band  ; 

While  hopelefs  Ifrael  heaven  with  prayer  aiTails,  fjy 

>And  grateful  incenfe  fills  the  rifing  gales. 

Stung  by  the  juft  reproof,  with  whizzing  found 

The  giant  plung'd  his  javelin  in  the  ground  : 

For  paifion,  ever  blind,  impeli'd  his  arm, 

Steer 'd  a  wild  courfe,  and  fav'd  the  youth  from  harm;  l-$o' 

JJe,  calm  and  fearlefs,  with  a  pleas'd  furprife, 

■Survey'd  its  curious  form  and  mighty  fize  ; 

Then  'gainft  his  fc>e,  with  fu-re,  unerring  eye 

Drove  the  fwift  lance,  and  lodg'd  it  in  his  thigh. 

llnrag'd,  the  warrior  faw  his  bubbling  gore,  1S5 

WritrTd  with  keen  anguim,  and  the  javelin  tore. 

The  flefh  purfued-;  a  copious,  fable  ilreani 

Pour'd  from  the  wound,  and  flain'd  the  iteely  gleam  ; 

Then  high  in- air  he  lhook  his  funll-ke  ihield, 

And  wav'd  his  falchion  o'er  th*  aftoniih'd  field.  ityi 

With  matchlefs  force  the  vengeful  weapon  fell  ; 

The  wary  hero  nimbly  munn'd  the  iteel  ; 

And  while  his  foe  with  foaming  i\iry  cried, 

Oft  ptere'd  his  arm,  and  wounded  of:  his  fide.- 

Wild,  and  more  wild,  tl*  giant's  ftrokes  reltund,         10; 

fxlance  from  the  ihield,  and  plough  the  cleaving  ground  ; 

Till,  gathering  all  his  ftrcngih  for  one  vaft  blow, 

1'ark  as  a  ftbrm,  he  rallies  on  his  foe  ; 

i-ightly  the  hero  fprings  ;   the  Bionfter  fall.% 

,&€  i'udJcn  ruins  of  a  turret's  walls;  4''» 


-t  o  ■©  k    vm.  tt7 

iTull  on  his  *eck  defcends  the  gladfome  blade,   ' 
And  from  the  trunk  difparts  the  griflyhead. 

Loud  fhouts  of  joy,  from  Ifrael's  thonfands  driven, 
fSurit  o'er  the  plain,  and  fhook  the  walls  of  heaven: 
Amaz'd  the  heathens  faw  their  champion  loft,  205 

And  a  wide,  fallen  groan  was  heard  from  all  the  hod. 

Alert,  bold  Irad  feiz'd  the  giant's  (hield, 
*His  fword,  his  fpear,  and  bore  them  thro*  the  field ; 
£t  Jcfhua's  feet,  with  felf-approving  fmiles, 
He  cart  the  grandeur  of  the  glittering  fpoils ■;  zio 

The  hoary  warrior?  gather'd  round  his  way, 
And  gaz'd  and  wonder'd  at  the  curious  prey  ; 
Then  blefs'd  the  chief,  with  tranfport  in  their  eyes, 
And  own'd  th'  afliftance  of  aufpiciou5  Skies  ; 
While  youths  unhappy  rais*d  lefs-ardent  prayers,  2t$ 

^And  wifh'd  the  deed,  anti  wiftt'dthe  glory,  theirs. 

I^ed  by  foft  impulfe  towYd  th'  irribattled  train, 
Rcv'd  fad  Selirna  down  the  fpacious  plain. 
Afar  fhe  flood,  snd  rati  an  anxious  eye, 
And  ftrove  in-vain  her  favourite  to  defcry.  zz<S 

At  once,  with  diftant  din,  the  fhouts  afcend, 
And  painful  fears  her  tenchr  bofom  rend  ; 
Slow  tow  Yd  the  camp  her  lingering  fteps  inclined  ; 
-But  oft  the  fair-one  cad  a  look  behind. 

Now  the  long  thunders  of  the  clarion  foivd,  22^ 

Tleclam'd  from  hills,  and  plains,  and  grove*  around, 
O'er  the  dire  field  the  rufhingfquadrons  driven, 
Extend  their  fhady  files,  and  blacken  heaven  : 
High  in  the  central  front  great  Jofhua  ftands, 
And  (hoots  wide  terror  thro'  th'  aftonifh'd  bandj  ;         230 
,Mid  eaiUm  thousands  Zimri  towers  a'cnir, 
And  Irad  fhines  before  the  weflem  throng, 

Unfurl'd,  the  fudden  banners  ilream  afar, 
And,  wrapp'd  in  thunder,  joins  the  dreadful  war  ; 
•Sv'ide  roll  the  volumes  of  the  duft  around,  .2^ 

£nd  clouds  en  clouds  envelope  all  the  ground, 


ise  book  vm. 

As  floods,  increas'd  by  Iong-defcending  rains, 

Pour  a  brown  deluge  o'er  the  wintery  plains, 

Loud  from  a  thoufand  hills,  the  torrent:  join, 

Where  azure  borvJ*  the  river's  courfe  confine  ;  24* 

The  maddening  ice,  in  bounr]cfs  ruin  driven, 

Burfts,  like  the  thunders  of  a  falling  heaven  ; 

The  white  rocks  foam  ;  the  gloomy  blafts  arife, 

Fofs  the  wild  rtream,  and  roar  along  the  flcics. 

So  clos'd  the  fquadrons  of  th'  unnumber'd  foes  ;  245 

So  ilormy  fhouts  and  hollow  groans  arofe. 

Long  in  an  even  ballance  hung  th'  affray, 
Nor  thofe  would  loofe,  nor  thefe  could  gain,  the  day. 

Till  Irad's  rapid  path,  like  heaven's  red  fire, 
Shot  through  the  ranks,  and  bade  the  foe  retire  ;         250 
With  joy,  their  chief  furrounding  warriors  view. 
And  troops  on  troops  the  generous  courfe  purfue. 

At  diflance  fmall,  proud  Samlah's  glittering  car, 
Whirl'd  by  white  courfers,  tempts  the  grifly  war ; 
O'er  all  the  plain,  with  piercing  found,  arife  255 

His  llern  injunctions,  and  his  conquering  cries. 
With  fhouts  bold  Irad  darts  along  the  field, 
Now  bright  in  arms,  and  now  in  duft  conceal'd, 
From  rank  to  rank  the  well-known  chief  purfucs. 
And  oft  his  flafliing  fteel  in  blood  imbrues.  s.6o 

Vain,  impious  wretch,  he  cried,  thy  nimble  flight, 
And  vain  the  covert  of  furrounding  might. 
Once  haft  thou  fled  the  fwift-purfuing  fpear, 
But  fled'ftin  vain,  for  vengeance  finds  thee  here. 
Learn  ffom  this  hand  what  fate  betides  the  knave,      265 
Who  yields,  unmov'd,  a  brother  to  the  grave. 
If  now  thy  feet  e.'cape  the  righteous  doom. 
Let  Heaven  protect,  rhee  to  a  peaceful  tomb  ! 

In  dread  amaze  aftonifh'd  Samlah  fiood  ; 
From  his  pale  face  retir'd  the  freezing  blood  ;  ZJO 

His  wild  eye  (Ir.r'd  ;   all  briltling  role  his  hair  ; 
Quick  from  his  quivering  hand  the  ufclefs  fpear 


BOOK      Vlir,  189 

D/oppM  ;  his  teeth  rattled,  and  the  failing  reins 

At  random  trembled  on  the  couriers'  manes  ; 

Behind  he  gaz'd,  and  found  no  path  to  fly  ;  275 

For  aid  hs  panted,  but  no  aid  was  nigh. 

Deep  in  his  back  was  lodg'd  the  fatal  Heel ; 

His  breathlefs  form,  before  the  rolling  wheel, 

Plung'd  headlong  ;  mournful  rung  a  pitying  groan, 

So  fair,  fo  mild  his  beauteous  afpecl  fhone  :  280 

Even  Irad,  touch'd  by  Adnor's  kind  rcqueft, 

Felt  fofc  emotions  fleaiing  through  his  breaft. 

Then  fwift  he  wheel'd  the  lightening  of  hisfword; 
Behind  him,  Judah's  hofllike  torrents  pour'd  ; 
Shrill  rofe  the  tumult  of  the  fields  around,  28-; 

Trembled  through  heaven  and  wav'd  along  the  ground  : 
With  fouls  undaunted,  both  the  hofts  contend  ; 
Spears  fill  the  air,  and  (houts  the  concave  rend. 

Far  diftant,  Jofhua  moves  his  awful  form, 
Swells  the  confufion,  and  directs  the  ftorm.  290 

Beyond  him,  Zimri,  fwift  as  rapid  fire, 
Darts  through  the  fight,  and  bids  the  foe  expire. 
A  mingled  horror  clouds  the  dreadful  plain  ; 
Her?  ru(h  the  fighting,  and  there  fall  the  flain. 

Now  the  mid  fun  had  finiftYd  half  his  courfe,  295 

When  Irad  raging  with  refiftlefs  force, 
And  far  before  him  breathing  wide  difmay, 
On  Jabin's  chariot  drove  his  rapid  way. 
Brave  youths  around  him  throng'd  the  crirnfon  fight, 
Eyed  the  bleiVd  chief,  and  finil'd  a  fierce  delight ;      300 
From  every  fwor^  increafmg  vengeance  fe]\, 
And  Death  fate  hovering  o'er  the  fanguine  ileel. 
Thron'd  in  proud  date,  the  favage  f^ inarch  rode  ; 
Like  two -red  ftars  his  wrathful  eye-balls  glow'd  ; 
Hoarfe  from  his  voice  a  dreadful  thunder  came,  30; 

And  his  bright  armour  flafn'd  a  fudden  flame. 
Two  Heeds,  bediopp'd  with  gore,  and  pale  to  view, 
Emblems  of  death,  his  fmoaking  chariot  drew. 


t$o  E     O     O    X      VI  If 

Cheer' d  by  his  hand,  the  courfers  fwrftly  fprang  ; 
Beat  by  their  hoofs,  the  brazen  bucklers  rang  ;  $  lr- 

Tow'rd  Irad's  path  the  heathen  wing'd  his  way, 
-And,  boding  conqueft,  fnuff'd  the  fancied  prev. 

Unmov'd,  th*  angelic  Youth,  with  wearied  hards 
Pav'd  his  red  path,  and  drove  the  circling  bands-— 
"Stay,  lovely  hero  !   flay  ;   thv  courfe  forbear  ;  34$ 

Enough  that  fword  has  rul'd  the  glorious  war--* 
Ah  ftay,  till  IfraePs  fons  thy  fteps  furround  ; 
Return,  return,  and  be  with  glory  erown'd! 

Great  Jabin  flood,  and  o'er  the  bloody  field 
.""lais'd  the  broad  terrors  of  his  flaming  fhield  ;  510 

HU  grimly  brow,  all  bkcken'd  o'er  with  duft, 
Erown'd  like  a  ftorm,  and  froze  the  trembling  hoft  ; 
Near  beauteous  Irad  (heam'd  the  founding  car, 
And  opening  fquadrons  yield  t'-e  dreadful  war. 

The  foaming  Chief,  ferene  the  Youth  beheld,  325 

And  rear'd  his  javelin  o'er  the  purple  field  ; 
-Shrill  fung  the  lance  along  the  dufty  fkv, 
fior'd  the  ttrong  fhield,  and  pierc'd  the  Monarch's  thigh.- 
Enrag'd,  to  earth  the  haughty  Warrior  fprang ; 
His  red  eyes  rflam'd  ;  his  arms  defeending  rang  ;  53c 

With  lofty  action,  each  his  hand  uprai«'d  ; 
The  falchions  flafli'd  ;   agnail  the  fquadrons  r>nzM  ; 
Two  generous  youths. between  them  nimblv  broke, 
And  bow'd  their  live<  beneath  the  fatal  llroke. 
Their  lovelv  heads  (their  helmets  cleft  in  twain)         -35 
Died  the  keen  fwords,  and  f pouted  on  the  plain. 
More  fierce  the  Monarch's  dirappoinred  i.-<* 
Glow'd  in  his  face,  and  blaz'd  with  gloomy  fire. 
-?n  Irad,  innocence  ferinelv  mild. 

And  beauty's  fweetnefs  with  foft  Splendor  fmil'd  ;        "4^ 
ylound  hisfair  forehead  beams. of  bravery  play, 
Nor  flain'd  with  rage,  nor  mingled  with  difmay. 

Again  in  ether  rofe  the  dreadful  fteel  ; 
/gain  itlighten'd,  and  again  it  fell  ; 


BOOK      Vftf.  igi 

*Tkc Heathen's,  ringing,  leap'd  from  Irad's  laield  ; 
The  Youth's  in  fragments,  treacherous,  ftrew'd  the  field* 
Held  by  a  chief,  fwift-leaping  from  the  band, 
A  fecond  falchion  touch'd  his  reaching  hand, 
When— lovelieft  Youth  !  why  did  thy  buckler's  bound 
Shield  but  thy  breaft?  why  not  thy  form  furround  ?     350 
Where  Hood  thy  friend-  ;   was  no  kind  hero  near. 
To  guard  thy  life,  and  ilay  Selima's  tear  ?---- 
Prom  fome  bafe  arm  unfeen,  in  covert  flung, 
Through  his  white  fide  a  coward  javelin  furrg, 
lie  fell — a  groan  fad-murmur  M  rotmd  the  holt,  55^ 

Their  joy,  their  glory,  and  their  leader  loft. 

For*  from  the  train  a  youth  i-mpatient  fprung, 
Spread  nis  fond  arms,  and  round  the  hero  clung, 
With  foft  endearments  ftay'd  the  fleeting  breath. 
And  wifh'd  to  fave  him  from  the  hand  of  death.  3^9 

But  Jabin/sfword,  driven  through  his  friendly  fide, 
Stain'd  his  white  armour  with  a  fpotlefs  tide  ; 
In  kind  imbrace  their  heaving  bofjms  lay, 
/\nd  all  life's  blooming  beauty  died  away. 
Through  rields  of  air,  their  fociai  fpirits  join'd  365 

Wing'd  their  light  way,  nor  loft  a  look  behind; 
While  two  bright  forms,  on  rofy  pinions  borne, 
Sail'd  round  their  path,  and  op'd  the  gates  of  morn. 

Mid  countlefs  warriors  Irad's  limbs  were  fpread, 
Even  there  diftinguifh'd  from  the  vulgar  dead.  37^ 

Fair  as  the  fpring,  and  bright  as  rifmg  day, 
His  fnowy  bofom  open'd  as  he  lay  ; 
From  thte  deep  wound  a  little  ftream  of  blood 
)n  filence  fell,  and  on  the  javelin  glowM. 
Grim  fabin.  frowning  o'er  hib  haplefe  head,  37^ 

Deep  in  his  bofom  plung'd  the  eruel  blade* 
Foes,  even  in  death,  his  vengeance  ne'er  forgave, 
But  hail'd  their  doom,  infatiate  as  the  grave  ; 
No  worth,  no  bravery  could  his  rage  difarm, 
Nor  finding  love  could  melt,  nor  angel-beauty  charm-* 


19*  BOOK      Vllf. 

With  dreadful  found,  he  rais'd  his  voice  on  high,   331 
Froze  the  pale  bands,  and  thunder'd  thro'  the  iky— 
Kafte,  warriors,  hafte  ;  your  conquering  arms  difplay; 
Here  gafps  their  leader,  to  the  dogs  a  prey. 
See  the  flaves  fly  ;  ere  evening's  dufky  hour,  jjc 

The  beads  fkall  rend  them,  and  the  hawks  devour. 
Receive,  illuftrious  Oran  !   here  receive 
The  poor,  the  fole  reward,  thy  prince  can  give. 
This  victim  firft  ;  a  nation  foon  mail  coma 
To  pay  due  honours  at  thy  facred  tomb,  350 

Wide  ftreams  ofgoreinrich  libations  flow, 
And  fhades  unnumber'd  wait  thy  call  below. 
Here,  daftards,  here  the  worthiefs  carcafe  )icld, 
Nor  wait  the  vengeance  of  a  future  field. 
To  day  this  raptur'd  hand  your  camp  fhall  burn,  595 

And  fires,  and  wives,  and  fons  to  mingled  afhea  turn. 

Thus  fpoke  the  haughty  Chief:  with  flalhing  eyes, 
To  fiercer  fight  infpir'd  the  warriors  rife  ; 
Clouds  after  clouds  in  gloomy  pomp  aicend, 
And  ftormy  clamours  troubled  ether  rend.  400 

The  thickening  temped  Judah's  hoft  furvcy'd, 
And  vvedg'd  their  volumes  in  the  dufly  fhadc  ; 
Man  lock'd  with  man,  and  helm  with  helm  combin'd, 
And  fword  with  fword  in  glimmering  order  ioin'd, 
A  long  dread  front,  impervious,  hides  the  fields,  405 

.Cloth'd  with  the  grandeur  of  a  thoufand  miclds. 

Firft,  in  the  flaming  van  to  vengeance  rofe 
Bold  Irad's  train,  and  dar'd  their  ardent  foes. 
Their  young,  brave  minds  immortal  fame  infnircs  ; 
Etch  glowing  thought  the  patriot's  virtue  fires  ;  \  TO 

Serene  th^y  fmiPd  to  fee  the  ruin  nigh  ; 
In  death  they  triumph'd,  butlhcy  fear'd  to  fly. 

O'er  the  dark  deep,  as  fome  rail  wave  impends. 
Its  white  foam  hides,  and  its  point afcendi  ; 

ift  hoary  rocks  the  burfting  ruins  roir, 
Slihke  kU  the  main,  and  echo  round  the  fhorej 


BOOK      VIII.  *9* 

So  Jabin's  car  with  gloomy  terror  flew, 

And  crufh'd  the  ranks  that  near  him  raihly  drew  ; 

Roll'din  one  mighty  mafs,  the  heathen  force, 

The  fwift-wing'd  chariot,  and  the  foaming  horfe,         420 

O'er  all  the  lovely  band  reflftlef,  fly, 

And  countiefs  warriors  round  their  Irad  die. 

Thus,  on  the  flream's  fair  bank  in  beauty  rife 

Young,  towering  trees,  and  feel  indulgent  ikies  j 

In  fpring's  mild  beam  their  lovely  boughs  afpire,        425 

Wave  o'er  the  flowers,  and  call  the  plumy  choir : 

At  once  the  floods  defcend,  the  torrents  roar ; 

The  trees  lie  withering  on  the  waited  fliore. 

All  firmly  brave,  imbrown'd  with  dull  and  blood 
*Gainft  the  rude  temped  Judah's  veterans  flood  ;         430 
Fix'd,  even  to  death,  their  nation  to  defend, 
With  flout,  ftiff  flrength,  the  ftubborn  ranks  contend  ; 
To  fate  undaunted  many  a  hero  fprings, 
The  fhouts  redouble,  and  the  concave  rings. 
Full  in  the  front  brave  Uzal  movclefs  flood,  435 

His  falchion  reeking  with  inceflant  blood  ; 
Fight,  warriors,  light,  or  fall— he  faid,  nor  more ; 
But  wheel'd  his  arm,  and  ftepp'd  in  floods  of  gore  ; 
Above  his  feet  the  purple  torrents  ran, 
And  high  before  him  man  was  pil'd  on  man.  44.O 

So  thick  the  fwords  around  his  helmet  hung, 
That  fword  clave  fword  ;  aloud  his  armour  rung  ; 
Panting  he  flood  ;  in  floods  the  fvveat  diftill'd  : 
Nor  moves  the  Hero,  nor  the  fquadrons  yield. 

From  his  bright  car,  that  rattling  pour'd  along,     44- 
With  fhouts,  and  threatnings,  Jabin  nYd  the  throng  ; 
Man  leap'd  o'er  man  :  from  every  tide  they  rufli'd  ; 
Bold  warriars  fell,  by  other  warriors  crufh'd  ; 
'Till,  hurl'd  by  Jabin's  hand,  a  javelin  flew, 
Pierc'd  Uzal's  heart,  and  life's  fair  current  drew,        450 
Pleas'd,  the  great  hero  gave  his  parting  breath  ; 
My  nation  own'd  my  life,  and  now  demands  rov  death, 
Cc 


BOOK      1 

Thus  hung  with  wounds,  a  prey  tofavage  flee!, 
Jn  Princeton's  fields  the  gallant  Mercer  fell. 
When  frit  his  native  realm  her  Tons  decreed,  /.;; 

In  flnvery's  chains,  with  want  and  woe  to  bleed, 
Check'd,  through  his  bofom  fond  remembrance  ran, 
The  caufe  of  freedom  was  the  caufe  of  man. 
In  that  fair  caufe  he  bar'd  his  manly  bread, 
The  friend,  the  hope,  the  champion,  of  th'  opprefs'd, 
From  height  to  height  on  glory's  pinions  rofe,  461 

IL'efs'd  by  his  friends,  and  prais'd  by  generous  foes ; 
Swift  flew  the  frtaft  ;  the  eagle  ceas'd  to  rife, 
And  mourning  millions  trae'd  him  down  the  ftie?. 

He  fell  ;  the  throng,  thatprefs'd  again  ft  his  fhield,  4^5 
Plung'din  one  heap,  and  fpread  along  the  field  ; 
Bucklers  on  bucklers  rang  ;  iteel  clam'don  Heel  ; 
Their  own  fwords  gatVd  them,  wounding  as  they  fell. 
Jn  one  broad  ruin  lay  the  mingled  crowd, 
-And  cries,  and  hollow  groans  were  heard  alcud.  470 

^o  fome  tall  prop,  that  bears  extended  walls 
Mouldering,  gives  way  ;   the  mo,Ty  ftrudture  falls, 
:  long  beams  thundering  echo  round  the  flcieS, 
.Karth  (hakes  beneath,  and  clouds  of  duft  arife. 
Thus  funk  ihe  warrior?,  fome  to  rife  no  more, 
Some,  nimbly  bouir  'd  their  fpears  in  gore. 

Now  har.^hty  Jabin  lifts  a  louder  cry, 
The  tall  hill--  o:Vo,  and  t'rv.  field  I  reply. 
Fly,  d.iflards,  fly  ;  death  haunts  your  impious  way  ; 
Your  proud  name  links ;  your  fqu.idrons  fwift  decay  :  46$ 
that  led  vour  hods  aWosd  ? 
^very,  a*-  -  God  ? 

CalUthe  dread  Power,  tl  an  ware,' 

To  mourn  your  fate,  it  grave, 

t  r»n  friendly  lig    . 

lit  the  heaven,  n»vi  y:y    i  1  rie*   :>c  t^ht. 
He  fp  .    eaciful  fr, 

Veniftg  He: 


book     vi;r.  tpf 

That  rideson  gloomy  blafts  above  the  ]Alls, 
And  wakes  the  thunder  of  the  mountain  rills,  43© 

.Roli'd  blackening.     JfYael's  Tons  in  fad  difrnay, 
Benttow'rd  :he  camp  their  flow,  unwilling  way. 

Enrag'd  Shejumiel  rais'd  his  angry  voice, 
But  rais'd  in  vain;   no  hero  heeds  the  ncife  : 
Hoarfe  with  (brill  cries,  and  wild  with  deep  defpair,     A.tl 
He  rum'd  refiftlefs  on  the  thickefl  war, 
From  Jabin's  lance  a  grateful  exit  found, 
Sunk  in  his  arms,  and  ftifren'd  on  the  ground. 

Far  from  the  fight,  defpoiFd  of  helm  and  (hield, 
Slept  beauteous  Irad  on  the  mournful  field  ;  50€> 

Deaf  to  the  groans,  and  careiefs  of  the  cries ; 
His  hair  foft-whiitiing  o'er  his  half-ihut  eyes. 
On  either  fide  his  iifelefs  arms  were  fpread, 
And  b'ood  ran  round  him  from  the  countlefsdead. 
Even  there,  two  warriors,  rufhing  o'er  the  plain,         50^ 
•O'er  crimfon  torrents,  and  o'er  piles  of  fiain, 
Stopp'd,  when  the  lovely  form  arofe  to  fight, 
Survey'd  his  charms,  and  wifn'd  no  more  the  right. 
,     Ah\  haplefs  Youth  !  cried  one,  with  tender  voice, 
The  Gods'  fair  oiupring,  ,-brrn'd  for  wilder  joys !  >  fp 

A  face  like  thine  the  gentleil  thoughts  muft  move, 
The  gaze  of  Beauty,  and  the  fong  of  Love. 
jSleep  on,  fair  hero  !   for  thy  corfe  muit  lie 
Bare  to  the  fury  of  a  itor my  &:y . 

Thus  he.      His  friend,  by  fofter  paihons  warm'd,        5^ 
By  grief  affii&ed,  and  by  beauty  charm'd, 
Cries  fadly— No  ;  for  when  my  fteps  return, 
This  bleeding  breaft  thy  early  fate  (hall  mourn  ; 
The  melting  fong  declare  thy  haplefs  doom, 
And  my  own  hand  ereci  thy  head  a  tomb.  £  20 

But  now,  outfpread  o'er  all  the  northern  plain, 
In  fable  grandeur  roll'd  a  ccuntiefs  train, 
With  trembling  fpears,  witji  waving  bucklers,  bright^ 
And  the  quick  gleams  of  iateirupttd  light. 


f§6  book     viri. 

When  Jofhua  ftrode  the  heathen  hoft  to  dare,  525 

To  guard  the  camp  was  prudent  Caleb's  care. 
He,  coolly  wife,  had  furamon'd  all  the  train, 
Difpos'd  in  ranks,  and  guided  o'er  the  plain, 
All  arm'd  for  war,  at  diftance  meet  to  flay, 
And  wait  the  changes  of  the  dreadful  day.  530 

In  even  fcale  while  dubious  combat  hung, 
And  far  in  fouthern  fields  the  tumult  rung, 
Silent,  they  liften'd  to  the  blended  cry, 
And  heard  faint  fhouts  in  diftant  murmurs  die. 

But  now  th'  approaching  clarion's  dreadful  found       53$ 
Denounces  flight,  and  makes  the  bannerM  ground  ; 
From  clouded  plains  increafing  thunders  rife, 
And  drifted  volumes  roll  along  the  fkies. 
At  once  the  chief  commands ;  th'  unnumber'd  throng. 
Like  gathering  tcmpefts,  darkly  pour'd  along  :  54c 

High  on  the  winds,  unfurPd  in  purple  pride, 
Th'  imperial  iiandard  caft  the  view  afide ; 
A  hero  there  fublimely  feem'd  to  ftand, 
To  point  the  conqueit,  and  the  flight  command  ; 
In  arms  ofburnim'd  gold  the  warrior  fhone,  545 

And  wav'd  and  brighten'd  in  the  falling  fun. 

Swift  tow'rd  the  fight  approach'd  th'  impatient  throng, 
And  wider  pour'd  the  thickening  duft  along  ; 
Loud,  and  more  loud,  victorious  clamours  grow, 
And,  more  diiVinguifh'd,  breathe  the  founds  of  woe  ;  550 
Pale  Judah's  fons  a  yielding  fight  maintain, 
And  many  a  face  looks  backward  o'er  the  plain, 
When  Caleb's  mighty  voice,  in  thunder  driven, 
Starts  all  the  holt,  and  rends  the  clouded  heaven. 
What  difmal  fcenes,  enrag'd  the  hero  cries—  555 

Convulfe  this  heart,  and  pierce  thefe  bleeding  eyes  ! 
Shall  Judah's  race,  my  brethren  and  my  boaft, 
Plee,  vanquifli'd,  driven,  before  a  heathen  holt? 
Can  men,  can  warriors  own  fo black  apart, 
The  bell  of  chiefs,  your  Jofnua  to  defert  i  560 


BOOK     VIII.  f97 

Say  with  what  pangs  will  Heaven  the  wretches  try, 

That  know  no  honour,  and  that  feel  no  tie  ? 

On  yon  bright  plain,  the  conquering  Chief  behold, 

Troops  wing'd  before  him,  cars  tumultuous  roll'd, 

With  Heaven's  imperial  fword  the  fight  commandr,    565 

And  drives  fierce  ruin  o'er  decreafing  bands  ! 

Say,  mall  the  Man,  who  rights,  who  bleeds  for  all, 

See  your  bafe  flight,  and  perim  in  your  fall  ? 

The  Chief,  as  angels  kind,  as  angels  true, 

Sink  in  the  doom,  he  warded  long  from  you  ?  57° 

Fly  then  ;  but  know,  a  few  fhort  furlongs  part, 

Von  camp  wild  flames,  and  favage  fwords  mall  wafte  ; 

Befmear'd  with  flreaming  blood,  your  parents  lie, 

And,  dauYd  on  (tones,  your  gafping  infants  die  ; 

Your  wives,  betray'd  by  fuch  bafe  culprits,  feel  575 

Abufe,  more  dreadful  than  the  griding  fteel  ? 

No  arm,  no  fword  the  falling  nation  fave, 

But  this  dire  evening  ope  our  common  grave. 

Can  thefe  dread  fcenes  even  daftards  fail  to  arm  ?        579 

Spring  from  the  trance,  and  burft,  the  fleepy  charm  ; 

Rife,  rife  like  men  ;  with  ihame,  with  vengeance  burn  ; 

Wipe  foul  difgrace,  and  fwift  to  fight  return. 

And  ye  brave  chiefs,  that  never  knew  to  yield, 

Or  turn  a  backward  foot  from  glory's  field, 

But,  led  by  me,  the  van's  bright  honours  claim,  585 

Smile  at  fair  death,  and  (brink  from  torturing  fhame  ; 

Lift  high  th*  avenging  fword,  from  pity  free, 

And  cleave  the  wretch  that  bafely  dares  to  flee. 

He  fpoke  :  the  found  their  manly  bofoms  fir'd, 
Wheel'd  their  long  ranks,  and  every  arm  infpir'd  ;      590 
Even  cowards  now  to  generous  combat  arm'd, 
And  fainting  heroes  with  new  vengeance  warm'd  : 
Fierce  Hazor's  fons  with  equal  fury  driven, 
Like  one  wide  cloud,  that  fhades  the  fkirts  of  even, 
Rufti'ddark  and  dreadful  :  ranks,  by  ranks  impell'd,  595 
Felt  the  keen  lance,  and  heap'd  the  flreaming  field. 


IQ8,  BOOK      V1H. 

Pois'd  in  a  dire  fufpenje,  the  combat  hung  ; 
Swords  clafh'd,  mail  rattled,  Unking  bucklers  rung  ; 
Here  his  bold  ranks  great  Caleb's  arm  infpir'd; 
There  Jabin's  mighty  hand  his  warriors  nVd  :  6c* 

No  more  the  foaming  Heeds  could  trace  their  way, 
So  thick  the  fquadrons  wedg'd  their  black  array  : 
Loud  tumults  roar,  the  clouded  heavens  rewound, 
And  deep  convulfions  heave  the  labouring  ground. 

Meantime,  great  Jofh.ua,  lightening  o'er  the  plain, 
Hedg'd  his  dire  path  with  heaps  of  ghaflly  flain  ;  6c6 

Back  roll'd  the  fquadrons  ;  death's  encircling  ihade 
Jnvolv'd  hiscourfe,  and  hover'd  o'er  his  head. 
At  once  a  quivering  voice  fair  Irad  nam'd, 
AnnounC'd  his  ruin,  and  the  flight  proclaim'd  ;  6 10 

Prom  ranks  to  trembling  ranks,  the  mournful  found 
Wak'da  fad  groan,  and  breath'd  a  gloom  aruund, 
With  livid  palenefs  clouded  evei  y  face, 
Congeal'd  each  vein,  and  ftopp'd  the  growing  chace. 
On  the  far  camp  they  turn'd  a  frequent  view  ;  6i  - 

Their  fainting  falchions  fcarce  the  right  renew  : 
Throng'd  in  a  blackening  ftorm,  the  foe  deicends ; 
Swift  drive  the  chariots  ;  far  the  duft  extends. 
With  fmiles,  bold  heathens  hail  commencing  flight  ; 
Their  lances  fhower  ;  their  eye-balls  rlaih  delight.     $2« 
Loud  as  old  ocean  beats  the  rocky  lLore, 
Loud  as  the  ftorm's  decp-buriling  thunders  roar, 
Vaft  fhouts  un/oiling  rend  th'  etherial  round, 
Trembles  all  heaven,  and  fhakcs  the  gory  ground. 

Amaz'd,  the  Herofaw  the  \  ur :  625 

Nor  knew  the  caufe,  'till  Trad  till'd  the  air; 
Lad,  re-echoing  with  a  fearful  noii'e, 
Pal'd  the  blank  face,  and  froze  the  faltering  voice. 
Loud  o'er  the  bellowing  ihouts  refounda  his  cry  — 
My  fons,  my  heroes,  whither  will  ye  fly  ?  byz 

Will  ye  purfue  the  camp  ?  defert  the  Gain  ? 
And  Ifcavc  your  Irad  on  the  bloody  plain? 


BOOK      VIII.  vft 

Alas !  you  fly  to  more  tremendous  fates ; 

There  ruin  feeks  you,  and  bafe  death  awaits : 

There,  in  fad  horror,  will  your  eyes  behold  635 

Flames  round  your  camp,  your  wives,  your  children  roird  : 

Let  vengeance  roufe,  let  Ifrael's  name  inspire, 

Let  danger  Heel  you,  and  let  irad  few, 

Turn,  turn,  this  inltant  feals  your  final  doom  ; 

You  gain  the  day,  or  fait  without  a  tomb.  640 

He  laid,  and  wav'd  his  bread,  enfanguin'd  fhield  5 
Turn,  warrior;,  turn,  reiounds  along  the  neld  ; 
A  new-born  bravery  fires  the  raeaneft  foul  : 
Thick  fpears  protend  ;  ranks  lengthening  onward  roll : 
Lefs  loud  fierce  whirlwinds  through  the  valley  pour  ;    645 
Lefs  loud  broad  flames  the  fpiry  town  devour, 
When,  vving'd  by  blatfs,  red  conflagrations  rife, 
Blaze  in  the  cloud-capp'd  towers,  and  fcorch  the  fides. 
Black  drifts  of  duft  fmcke  through  the  vafl  profound  ; 
Shouts  hoarfcly  rage,  and  hollow  groans  refound.  65© 

As,  when  through  ether's  fields  dark  florins  arc  driven9 
The  fvift-wing'd  flame,  defcending,  kindles  heaven, 
Scath'd  by  the  dreadful  flream,  the  huge  pines  fall, 
And  burtb'ng  glory  wraps  the  fmoking  ball  ; 
O'erthe  tall  mountains  rolls  the  voice  of  God,  6rj 

The  plains  all  tremble,  and  the  forefts  nod : 
So  fwift,  fo  bright,  the  rufning  hero  pour'd  ; 
With  every  ftroke  his  fword  a  life  devour'd  ; 
Full  on  hi:  foes  he  bore  refiftlefs  dorm, 
Pale  fquadrons  opening  to  his  angry  form  ;  65© 

His  fhield  blaz'd  horror,  and  his  lofty  hand 
Fell,  with  fwift  ruin,  on  the  lefTening  band; 
GaftVd  by  his  hand,  the  courfcrs  buril  their  reins, 
And  hurl'd  their  riders  on  the  bloody  plains ; 
Gafh'd  by  bis  hand,  the  proftrate  riders  die  ;  66$ 

Crack  the  round  wheels,  the  fplendid  trappings  fly. 

Meantime,  far  eaftward  Afher  crouds  the  m 
?^or  keecs  the  terror*  of  the  rattling  car. 


too  BOOK    VIII. 

Swift  as  on  wings  of  fire  a  meteor  driven, 

Mounts  o'er  the  hills,  andfweeps  the  nightly  heaven,  670 

When  the  pale  wanderer,  loft  in  devious  ways, 

"With  bridling  hair,  ftarts  at  the  fudden  blaze, 

Rulh'd  rapid  Zimri  through  the  parting  hoft ; 

Mark'd  by  his  eye  the  haplefr  foe  was  loft  ; 

O'er  quivering  ranks  his  fword  inceftant  hung  ;  675 

Loud  in  their  ears  his  voice  funereal  rung 

Death's  hideous  peal ;  hard-following  on  the  found 

Sunk  the  laft  ftroke,  and  corfes  cloath'd  the  ground. 

Now  while  the  Kittites  fled  the  dire  alarm, 
Their  haughty  king  withftood  th*  invading  arm.         680 
Shrill  rofe  the  thunders  of  his  piercing  cry, 
Loft  in  deaf  ears,  and  echoing  through  the  fey  ; 
With  fwifter  fteps,  his  warriors  urg'd  their  flight, 
And  dark  behind  them  rufh'd  purfuing  night. 
Fierce  on  the  king's  bright  car,  with  rapid  force,       6S5 
Refiftlefs  Zimri  drove  his  dreadful  courfe  ; 
The  dauntlefs  monarch  caft  his  mighty  fpear, 
That  fung,  and  trembled  through  th'  enlighten'd  air  ; 
Full  on  brave  Zimri's  helm  the  polifh'd  fteel 
Clafh'd  harmlefs,  and  to  earth,  rebounding,  fell.  690 

Regardlefs  of  the  fhock,  the  nimble  chief 
Sprang  to  the  car  ;   no  fword  could  lend  relief; 
Caught  by  his  arm.,  the  heathen  beat  the  ground  ; 
Wide  on  his  bofom  funk  the  fatal  wound  ; 
The  greedy  blade,  deep-plunging,  gafh'd  his  fide,        69; 
And  down  his  buckler  pour'd  a  bubbling  tide. 

Wing'd  with  fierce  ardour,  Zimri  mounts  the  car, 
And  calls  his  heroes  to  the  crimfon  war — 
Rufa  on  to  conqueft,  every  generous  band, 
Lo  the  Mefs'd  triumphs  of  this  happy  hand  !  700 

Here,  through  his  fide  the  fword  indignant  thruft, 
Their  furious  leader,  gafping,  bites  the  dull.— 
Fly,  mifcreants,  fly,  and  let  your  live*  remain 
To  grace  the  falchions  of  a  future  plain. 


B    O    O    K      VIIL  soi 

From  dovelike  foes  what  warrior  hopes  a  name  ?      .    705 

So  cheap  the  purchafe,  vi&pry  fcarce  is  fame.--- 

Thus,  loud  and  tabuing,  rofe  the  hero's  cry  ; 

Swift  r«(b  His  bands  ;   the  heathen  fwifter  fly  : 

High  in  the  chariot,  in  dread  pomp  reveal'd. 

His  gloomy  hand  the  firey  Heeds  impeli'd  ;  710 

In  dufty  clouds  the  hofls  are  fnatch'd  from  fight, 

And  Death,  and  Zimri,  darken  o'er  the  flight. 

While  thus  brave  After  tiod  the  conquering  plain, 
And  drove  wild  ruin  on  the  heathen  train, 
In  the  dire  centre,  to  rcfiilleis  war  7!5 

Proud  Shimron's  monarch  ,urg'd  the  thundering  car. 
In  early  ycuth,  he  faw  fierce  Jabin's  hand 
Seize  his  fair  cro»vn,  and  rule  his  fertile  land; 
Then  to  the  victor's  court  a  captive  brought, 
In  arms  was  traiti'd,  in  arts  politic  taught,  72(> 

Won  by  foft  wiles,  his  throne  of  Jabin  held, 
And  bade  his  realm  imperial  tributes  yield. 
There,  fir'd  to  glory  by  the  monarch's  voice, 
He  mock'd  his  pattern,  and  obey'd  his  choice, 
And  hop'd  from  conduct,  form'd  by  rules  fojuft,         725 
Alone  to  reign,  when  Jabin  flept  in  duft. 

Full   on  his  lofty  breaftthe  flaming  fhield 
Gltam'd  a  bright  terror  through  the  clouded  field  : 
As  when  the  Sun,  o'er  fcorch'd  Peruvia's  plain, 
Difeafe,  and  Death,  and  Horror  in  his  train,  730 

Unveils  his  crimfon  face,  diftainM  with  blood, 
Burns  the  brown  hills,  and  fickens  ever/  flood. 
Loud  rang  the  hero's  voice  ;  his  lances  flew, 
And  every  lance  the  foremoft  warrior  flew. 
On  him  great  Jofhua  glanc'd  a  darkening  eye,  73  3 

And  rufh'd  impetuou*,  with  a  deathful  cry  : 
His  fword,  fwifc-circling,  hew'd  his  difmal  way, 
Fell'd  ranks  at  once,  and  broke  the  deep  array. 
Amaz'd,  the  heathen  caft  a  look  behin  !, 
And  thus  ia  doubt,  explor'd  his  mighty  mind,---  740 

Da 


m  BOOK      Vfff, 

email  J  refitting  dare  that  arm  of  death, 

And  reach  his  heart,  or  nobly  yield  my  breath  ; 

vith  lbmediitant  band  the  foe  engage 
Where  bravery  fails,  and  turn  the  battle's  rage  r* 
1  his  arm,  this  fpear  may  fpill  his  hated  life  ;  7  '  7 

And  O  what  wreaths  mail  crown  the  happy  flrife  I 
What  bright  rewards  fliall  Jabin's  hand  beftow  ! 
VVhat  matchlefs  honours  round  my  temples  flow  ! 
I  claim  the  conteil--hence  bafe  flight  and  fhame--- 
To  fight  is  glory,  and  to  die  is  fame.  750 

He  fpoke  ;  while  Ruin,  riding  thro'  the  plain, 
Bur  ft  o'er  his  rank?,  and  mark'd  her  path  with  flain  : 
Okl  Jofhua's  helm  fne  fate  ;  tremendous  hung 
His  arm  on  high,  his  voice  like  thunder  rung  : 
Near  rhe  bright  car  he  wheel'd  his  ftrearriing  blade,   7^5 
And  dull  around  him  caft  a  night-like  fhade. 
Full  on  his  buckler  dalh'd  the  heathen's  fpear, 
?icre\i  the  thick  plates,  and  ilafh'd  behind  in  air; 
Grazing  his  fide,  it  cut  the  folded  garb, 
Arid  drops  of  crimfonftain'd  the  poliuVd  barb.  ~66 

With  joy,  the  king  hi*  faithful  javelin  view'd, 
"i.eap'd  from  his  car,  and  with  his  fword purfucd. 
'Vhen  JohVia's  hand  uprear'd  his  falchion  hrgh, 
lfs  flames  bright-circling  in  the  dufky  £*y  ; 
rirfl  his  foe's  arm  dropp'd  on  the  bloody  field  ;  jC~, 

'{  he  fecond  ftroke  divide's  hi?  glittering  lhield  ; 
Full  on  his  throat  the  force  avenging  blade 
Sinks  ;   the  fjced  fpirit  flits  to  midnight  made. 
■' .'  iir  on  to  gloV"--rung  the  Leader's  voice, 

tremblin.  runk  backward     r.tthenoife;     7-** 

Sad  Shirnron's  ions   befieW  their   monarch  dead, 
Rais'd  one  deep  howl,  and,  wing'd  with  horror,  fled. 
'Fhrong'd  in  a  gloomy  ftorm.  t   e'r  hi  'ad-long  foes 
Round  the  J  1  with  lifted  falchions  rdfe  ; 

Bi  iad  It  reams    f  blood  o'er-ran  the  Icenei  ofdeatk,    775, 
Atni  fullen  groans  proclaimed  the  parting  breath. 


8    O    O    K    Vllfy  £03 

Asboiling  Etna  rolls  a  flood  of  fire 

Down  her  rough  rocks  ;  and  plains,  and  to  was  expire, 

Lick'd  by  the  flames,  exhaling  rivers  rile, 

And  crumbling  groves  fmoke  upward  to  the  ficies,       ~S.3 

'Swift  pours  the  blazing  deluge  on  the  more, 

The  {cprch'd  main  foams,  the  hiffing  billows  roar  : 

So  fierce  and  dreadful,  flew  the  viclor  hoft, 

Jn  night  involv'd,  in  dufty  volumes  loft. 

Squadrons  thick -ftrown  were  fcattcr'd  o'er  the  fields,  n%  ,' 

And  helms,  and  (words,  and  fpears,  ar.dfnnguine  mieid?, 
Huge  piles  of  (laughter  gathering  round  his  courie, 

On  Shimron  Jofiiua  wing'd  his  mjgh-ty  force. 

Xike  two  red  flames  his  vivid  eye-balls  glow, 

And  moot  fierce  lightenings  on  th'  aflonifh'd  foe  ;        790 

Before,  expanded,  his  meteorous  fliicld 

Blaz'd  a  broad  ruin  thro"*  the  ftormy  field  ; 

Round  the  wild  war  his  flaming  terrors  f!y  • 

Cars  burft  before  him  ;— fteeds,  and  heroes  die. 

wO  r.ufh'd  an  angel  down  the  midnight  gloom,  79- 

When  Egypt's  firfl-born  funk  in  one  broad  tomb  ; 

High  in  dark  clouds  th'  avenging  Vifion  hung, 

His  path,  like  diflant  thunder,  hoarfely  rung  ; 

Flames  mot  before  him,  whirlwinds  roll'd  around, 

Bow'd  the  tall  hills,  and  h&ayM  the  trembling  ground. 

Not  with  lefs  terror  b!a#'d  the  Leader  on  ;  801 

?Twas  ruin  all  and- one  unbounded  groan  ; 

None  look'd  behind,  none  turn'd  a  hearkening  ear  ; 

Nor  hills,  nor  dreams  impede  the  full  career  : 

High  o'er  the  ragged  rocks  they  nimbly  bound,  goc 

Dath  thro'  the  floods,  and  (cower  the  level  ground  : 

^nrJl  in  the  tumult,  Youth  impels  his  flight  ; 

Springs  o'er  the  field,  and  fcapes  purfuing  night : 

Pale  Age  with  quivering  limbs,  and  flow-drawn  pace, 

I?*e!s  the  keen  fword,  and  finks  beneath  the  chace.     Bio 

Far  diflant,  Zimri,  like  a  f wee  ping  ftorm, 
'S  im  ia  the  chariot  rais'd  his  gloomy  form  ; 


2o4  BOOK      VIII. 

Still  on  the  hindmoft  Ml  his  fateful  fword  J 

Earth  fliook,  ait  trembled,  heaven  wiih  thunder  roar'd  : 

Oft,  from  the  car  defcending  to  the  plain,  '       815 

He  ftream'd,  like  lightening,  o'er  the  ghaftly  flain, 

Then  fwiftly  rofe,  and  on  the  heathens  fped, 

His  wheels  daik-rolling  o'er  th'  unnumber'd  dead. 

Meantime,  with  all  the  rage  of  combat  fir'd, 
Wiu'ie  throngs  of  warriors  round  his  fteps  expir'd  ;     820 
While  now,  firft  difobeiient  to  his  call, 
The  balanc'd  victory  doubted  where  to  fall  : 
While  Caleb's  arm  with  youthful  vigor  warm'd, 
Sham'd  Judah's  thoufands  rnd  their  vengeance  arm'd  ; 
From  rank  to  rank  impatient  Jabin  flew,  82> 

Drove  thefe  with  threats,  and  thofe  with  praifes  drew. 

But  now  the  eaflern  plain  loud  thunders  rend  ; 
The  ihrill  cars  rattle  ;  hoarfcr  cries  afcend  ; 
ProgreiTive  clouds,  in  thickening  volumes  driven, 
Roll  tow'rd  the  fouth,  and  (hade  the  dully  heaven.        83  * 
From  the  tall  car  the  Chief  furvey'd  the  field. 
And  every  circling  lcene  at  once  beheld, 
•   Even  the  far  wood,  with  fudden  flames  bright, 
And  the  dire  omens  of  tumultuous  flight. 
Around  the  war  hecaft  a  fearching  view,  §35 

Saw  the  day  loft,  and  all  its  evils  knew  ; 
Deep  from  his  inm'oft  foul  bunt  forth  a  iigh, 
And  momentary  fadnefs  gloom'd  his  eye. 
Bui  foon  his  brow  refum'J  a  cheerful  grace, 
And  living  ardour  fir'd  his  artful  face.  S4© 

Full  well  the  monarch  knew  that  fears  begun, 
From  breait  to  breait,  like  glancing  lightenings,  run  ; 
That  one  rank  fled  inllruc'ts  a  hoil  to  fly, 
And  cowards'  eye6  teach  heroe.-*  hearts  to  die— 
1  i<en,  ere  his  friends  the  dire  event  divine,  845 

Or  Judah's  Ions  their  kindred  victors  join, 
A  wife  retreat  his  mighty  mind  brdain'd, 
Anc  thus  the  lage  of  war  his  voice  reitrain'd. 


BOOK      VIII.  205 

Hear,  all  ye  chiefs,  brave  Hazof*s  bands  that  guide, 

Your  nation's  pillars,  and  your  monarch's  pride.  850 

Your  matchlefs  deeds  this  raptur'd  eye  has  told, 

A:.d  fame's  bright  hand  to  diftant  year*  enroil'd. 

But  fee,  o'er  weftern  hills  the  fun's  low  fire 

Cuts  ihort  the  day /and -Sid  s  the  hoft  retire. 

Firm  be  your  ranks;  man  faft  inlock'd  with . man,  855 

The  reared  onward,  fixM  the  generous  van  ; 

At  once  let  chief  with  chief  rnfpir'd  combine;; 

And  'gainfttfre  foe  extend  th,:  embattled  line  ; 

Brace  firm- the thield  ;  the  movelefs  fpear  .protend; 

Join  hand  an^  heart,  and  every  rank  defend.  S60 

Your  prince  behold  ;  when  Ha2or  claims  the  ftrife, 

My  wounds  are  tran'fport,  arid  a  toy- my  life.  ■    - 

The  hero  fpoke  :  as  by  one  foul  infpir'd,  ° 
Swift  to  their  well-knoWn-pofts  the  chiefs  retir'd  ; 
At  once,H'by  rianriers  rang'd,  te  brave  the  ftorm,  86$ 

Kfrni,  dreadm?  lines  th*  experierie'd  fquadrOns-form. 
D're  o'erthe  van-guard,fhield  with  mield  combinM, 
Spear  iock'd  with  fpear,  th' uhdaunted  leaders  join'd  ; 
'Gainil  Judah'shoft,  with  ridgy  terrors  bright, 
Rofe  a  long  wall,  and  M'da  fearful  light.  870 

~©'er  the  tremendous  fcene  the  Monarch's  car 
Pour'd  death  around,  andrul'd  the  grifty:  war : 
Fierce  on  the 'foe,  where'er  their  ftepspurfue, 
From  rank  to- rank  the  mighty  warrior  flew  ; 
Hearts  form'd  of  ftubborn  iteel  his  deeds  appall  ;         875 
The  diftarft  tremble,  and  the  nearer  fall ; 
Till  Caleb's  voice  commands  the  choice  to  flay, 
And  yields  his  foes  an  unmolefted  way. 

Then,  frill  r^nd  flow,  wnile  Judah's  hoft  admir'd, 
In  gloomy  itrength  the  futten  icorm  retir'8.  8S0 

So,  when  in  heaven  propitious  breezes  rife, 
And  on  the  deep  the  nimble  vcfTel  flies, 
Siiagg'd  with  brown  (hades,  that  o'er  the  billows  lower, 
)n  grim,  dark  pomp  recedes  the  cliftetf  fhore  ; 


a 

*o6  BOOK      VIII. 

I^efs  feen,  and  lefs,  the  awful  fcenes  decay,  ££* 

And  loft  in  blue  confufion  fade  away. 

Whh  gore  all  hideous,  and  with  dull  imbrown'd, 
In  the  dire  front  terrific  Jabin  frmvuM  ; 
His  lifced  arm  prepar'd  the  fatal  blow, 

And  menae'd  vengeance  to  th'  approaching  foe 890 

So,  forward  driven  by  earth's  convulfive  pangs, 

The  tall,  hoar  cliff  in  dubious  terror  hangs ; 

liigh  pois'd  in  dread  fufpenfe,  its  hovering  brow 

TJowers  fwift  deftrucHon  on  the  world  below  : 

Ama-zM,  the  fwain,  while  fudden  fears  appall  895 

Starts,  as  the  tottering  ruin  feems  to  fall. 

Enjoy,  he  cried,  imperious  foes,  enjoy 

The  fancied  triumph,  combat  (hall  deftroy  : 
Bot  know,  ye  boailcrs,  foon  this  arm  (hall  tear 

The  mort-Hv'd<rown,  your  haughty  temples  wear  ;    900 

Soon  your  vain  chiefs,  your  nation  want  a  name, 

Anxi  all  your  glories  fink  in  endlefs  fhame. 
But  now,fublime  in  crimfon  triumph  borne, 

The  facred  ftandard  mock'd  th*  etherial  morn  ; 

Wide  on  the  winds  its  wavir,g  fplendors  flow'd,  ^05 

And  call'd  the  warriors  from  the  dillant  wood. 

Behind  great  Joflma,  Razor's Tons  to  dare, 

SPour  the  bold  thoufands  to  the  weflern  war, 

beyond  Ai's  walls,  the  lefiening  heathen  train 

In  well-form'd  fquadrons  crofs  the  diftant  plain  ;  910 

Part  llil-l  in  fight  their  (hady  files  extend  ; 
V.rt  fill  the  wood,  and  part  the  hills  afcend  ; 

To  ccafe  from  toil  the  prudent  Chief  commands, 

And  balmy  quiet  fooths  the  wearied  bands. 

Half  loft  ill  mountain  groves,,  the  Qin*i  broad  ny    91- 

Shower'd  a  full  fplendcr  round  his  evening  way  ; 

SJqw  JolV.ua  ftrode  the  lovely  Youth   to  find  ; 

Th'  unwilling  bands  more  (lowly  mov'd  behind. 

Soon  as  Hie  mate  hi  eft  form  arofe  to  view, 

O'er  their  fad  faces  lhonc  the  forrowing  dew;  920. 


BOOK     VIII.  207 

Silent  they  flood.     To  fpeak  the  Leader  tried, 
But  the  choik'd  accents  ©n  his  palate  died. 
His  bleeding  bofbm  beat  with  inward  pains, 
And  leaden  languors  ran  along  his  veins. 

Ah,  beft    and  braveft  of  thy  race  1  he  faid,  9*S 

A'nd  gently  rais'd  the  pale,  reclining  head-— 
Loft  are  thy  matchlefs  charms,  thy  glory  gone- 
Gone  is  the  glory  which  thy  hand  hath  won. 
In  vain  on  thee  thy  nation  caft   her  eyes  ; 
In  vain  with  joy  beheld  thy  light  arife  ;  93© 

In  vain  (he   wifh'dthy  fceptre  to  obtv  1 
Vain  were  her  wilh'es ;  vain  the  defttn'd  fway. 
Oh!   Irad,  lovelieft  Jrad,  nature's  pride* 
Would  Heaven,  myfelf  for  thee,  for  thee  had  died  ! 
Nor  more ;  the  thoughts  lay  ftruggling  in  his  bread  ;  955 
But  tears,  expreffive  tears  forbade  the  reft. 
Borne  by  fix-  chiefs,  in  filence,  o'er"  the  plain, 
Fair  Irad  mov'd  before  the  mournful  train  ; 
Great  Jofhua's  arm  fuftain'd  his  fword,  and  fhield  ; 
TiV  afhic*red  thOufands  lengthening  thro'  the  field.       9415 
When,  crown'd  with  flowers,  the  maidens  at  her  fide, 
With  gentle  fteps  advane'd  great  Caleb's  prid?. 
Her  fnowy  hand,  infpird  fcy  reftlefs  love, 
Of  the  lone  wild-rofe  two  rich  wreaths  inwove ; 
Frefh  in  her  hand  the  flowers  rejoice  to  bloom,  945 

And  round  the  fair-one  (bed  the  mild  perfume. 
O'er  all  the  train  her  acVive  glances  rov'd  ; 
She  gaz'd,  and  gazing,  mifs'd  the  Youth  fhe  lov'd ; 
Some  dire  mifchance  her  boding  heart  divin'd, 
And  thronging  terrors  fill'd  her  anxious  mind.  050 

As  near  the  holl  her  quickening  footfteps  drew. 
The  breathlefs  hero  met  her  trembling  view  ; 
From  her  chill'd  hand  the  headlong  rofes  fell, 
And  life's  gzf  beauty  bzdc  her  cheeks  farewell  ; 
O'er  her  fair  face  unmeaning  palenefs  fate,  er« 

Atfj  funk  to crrrth,  fhe  fek  no  haplefs  hie. 


208  BOOK      Vin. 

With  anguifli  Caleb  faw  her  fading'charms, 
And  caught  the  favourite  in  his  haftening  arms. 
Reviv'd  with  piercing.voice.  that  froze  hii  foul, 
She  forc'd  the  btg»  round,  tear  unwim'd  to  roll;  <j6o 

By  all  his4ove,  befought  him  foori  to  lead 
Where  cruel  friendftiip  fnatch'd  his  lovely  dead. 
Jn  vain  the  chief  his  anguifh  ftrove  to  hide, 
Sighs  rent  his  brealt,  and  chill'd  the  vital  tide. 

To  Jofhua  then,  whofe  heart  befidc  her  mourn'd,    965 
With  gaze  of  keen  diftrefs,  the  charmer  turn'd.-- 
Oh,  generous  Chief,  to  mifery  ever  kind,— - 
Tnouiov'ft  my  fire--fupport  his  linking  mind  ! 
Thy  friendly  wi(h  delights  to  leiTcn  woe--- 
See  how  his  tears  for  fallen  Irad  flow  i  f  70 

He  claims  thy  friendfliip-.-generous  hero,  fee, 

Loft  to  himfelf,  his  fondneis  bleeds  fur  me 

To  view  the  haplefs  Youth,  diilrefs'd    he  fears. 

Would  wound  .my  foul,  and  force  too  copious  :carsP 

But  lead  »■  oh  lead  me,    where>the  Youth  is  borne  I      97.5 

Calm  is  my  heart,  nor  will  my  boiom  mourn--- 

So  cold  that  heart,  it  yields  no  pitying  figh— - 

And  fee  no  tear  bedews  this  marbled  eye. 

She  faid,  and  look'd  rci: (Uefc  ;   (oft  rccIinM 
On  Jofliua's  arm,  me  fore'd  his  melting  mind.  c/?o 

Prefling  her  hand,  he  trae'd  a  gentle  way, 
Where  breathieis  lrad,  Icil  in  lumbers  lay. 
From  the  pale  face  his  chilling  hand  withdrew 
The  decent  veil,  and  gave  the  Youth  to  view. 
Fix'd  o'er  the  form,  with  folcmn  gaze  the  hung, 
And  ftrong,  deep  fighs  buiil  o'er  her  frojten  tongue. 
On  Jofhua  then  (he  cail  a  wiuiful  look  ; 
Wild  was  her  tearlefs  eye,  and  rolling  fpokt 
Anguifli  unutterable.     Thrice  (he  tried 
To  vent  her  woes,  and  thrice  her  effort*  died. 
At  length,  iu  accents  of  ecltatic  grief, 
He:  voice  bewildcr'd,  gave  her  heart  relief. 


109 

Is  this  the  doom  we  dread  ?— 13  this  to  die  i 
To  fleep  ?— -to  feel  no  more  ?---to  clofe  the  eye  :--- 
Slight  is  the  change---how  vain  the  childifh  fear,        90  } 
That  trembles,  and  recoils,  when  death  is  near  ? 
I  too,  methinks,  would  fnare  the  peaceful  doom, 
And  feek  a  calm  repofe  in  Irad's  tomb. 
This  breath  I  know,  this  ufelefs  breath  muil:  fail, 
Thefe  eyes  be  darken'd,  and  this  face  gTow  pale-*     iced 
But  thou  art  pale,  oh  Youth  1  thy  lot  1  crave, 
And  every  grief  ihall  vanifli  in  the  grave. 

She  ceas'd,  the  tender  chief  without  oVslay, 
Soft  prefling,  kindly  fore'd  her  fteps  away. 
Slow  tow'rd  the  camp,  with  folemn  pace,  they  drew  ; 
The  corie  moves  on  ;   the  mournful  bands  purfue.    igo5 
Pale  U^al  follows,  virtuous  now  no  more  ; 
And  brave  Shelumiel,  black  with  clotted  gore. 
Unnumber'd  tears  their  haplefs  fate  bewail, 
And  voice  to  voice  refounds  the  dreadful  tale.  joiQ 

But  Irad,  matchiefs  Irad,  call'd  in  vain, 
Breathes  wide  a  folemn  fadnefs  round  the  plain  ; 
Unhappy,  to  their  tents' the  hoi>  retir'd, 
And  gradual ;  o'er  the  mountains  day  expir'd, 


Ee 


T       H       B 


CON  QjU  EST    o*     CANAAN; 


BOOK        IX< 


Argument, 

Evening*  Interview  betvueen  Selitna  and  her  parents  * 
Morning.  Difrefs  cf  the  Camp.  fofhua  direflsZimr? 
to  bury  the  dead.  Funeral  of  Irad*  Burial  cfthe  dead, 
J-Iarejhab  informs  fojhua  of  a  combination  of  the  fur- 
rounding  nations  againfi  Gibeon,  and  folicks  his  affifl- 
ance.  Story  of  Elam  and  Mina.  Uarejhah  is  dirccled 
to  wait  until  the  divine  pleafurefhall  be  known.  Even- 
ing. Jojhua  walks  cut  on  tb^plain,  northward  of  tJLt 
campy  and  hears  Selima  lamenting  the  death  cflrad, 
AfjeBedby  thefccne,  he  breaks  tut  into  a  joliloquy  on  his 
dijlrefs,  and  is  reproved  by  an  angel ,  who  delivers  him  a 
fneffage from  the  Moft  High,  axd  air  efts  him  to  }rej>ari 
for  a  vifion  of  futurity* 


The    CONQUEST    of    CANAAN, 
BOOK      IX, 


NOW  fober  evening  hung  her  curtains  round, 
And  gloomy  fadnefs  brooded  o'er  the  ground. 
All  pale,  and  folemn,  rofe  the  languid  moon, 
And  fried  a  feeble  twilight  from  her  throne. 
Sad  in  her  tent,  the  feeling  maiden  fate,  * 

Fed  on  her  woes,  and  figh'd  her  haplefs  fate. 
Diflblv'd  in  tears,  her  tender  parents  came, 
To  mare  her  grief,  and  iUy  life's  parting  flame. 
Like  dull,  cold  lightr,  that  hover  o'er  the  tomb, 
A  lone  lamp  languifh'd  round  the  filent  room  :  10 

Befide  her  couch,  two  lorn  attendants  ftay'd, 
And  drooping,  lingering,  eyed  th*  unco  lfcious  maid. 
O'er  the  fad  fcene  the  pair  attentive  hung  ; 
*Tiien  round  the  favourite  form  all-anxious  clung  : 
Her  tearlefs  eye-balls  fcarce  the  virgin  turn'd,  j$ 

But,  iix'd  in  blank  defpair,  her  flumbering  Trad  mourn'd. 

Awake  !  oh  wake  !  the  tender  mother  cry'd— 
My  child  !   my  darling  i  nature's  iovelieft  pride  ! 
Awake,  and  hear !  oh  hear  thy  mother's  call ! 
Behold  thefe-  tears  for  thee  in  anguilh  fall  !  20 

Ah  fee  thy  fire,  with  mighty  woes  opprefs'd  ! 
His  fighs  hard-burning  from  his  heaving  breafl  fr 


>2H  BOOK      IX. 

Turn,  turn  thine  eye  !  thy  haplefs  parents  fave  ! 
Nor  fpeed  our  footiteps  to  the  dreary  grave  ! 

one  fpoke.     O'erwhelm'd  in  bitternefs  of  fate,  tjf 

Still  the  iweet  maiden  unregardfui  fate  : 
Fix'd  on  the  parent,  droop'd  her  failing  eyes, 
And  deep,  and  heavy,  heav'd  her  long-drawn  fighs. 
Again  the  mother,  Left  in  fad  amaze, 
Call  on  her  woes  a  ltrong,  expreluve  gaze,  50 

And  thus— O  -child  of  parents  once  too  blefs'd  I 
Let  not  fuch  anguiih  tear  thy  bleeding  breali. 
Swell  not,  with  other  pangs,  thy  mifrri.es  dire, 
A  dying  mother,  and  a  widow'd  lire  : 
The  balm  of  patience  fummon  to  thy  foul :  5 1 

Let  Heaven's  high  voice  exceiCve  grief  controul. 
He  cali'd,  from  earth's  dark  wild,  the  Youth  awav; 
And  call'd  complacent,  to  the  world  of  day, 
To  nobler  fcenes  his  mind  feraphic  fiies, 
To  blif«,  to  Hezron,  angels,  and  the  &iea,  4a 

Tfepj  fpoke  the  parent,     Struggling  rofe  the  fair. 
And  look'd  unroeafar'd  woe,  and  blank  defpair  : 
Again  (he  langaifii'd  ;  to  the  couch  ihe  feli, 
And  life  fad  -linger:  Bg  fcem'd  to  bid  farewell. 
Peered  to  the  leal,  the  tender  father  flood,  4J 

And,  loft  in  woes  like  feet's*  the  darling  view'd* 
He  law  the  mild  reproof  her  lenic  recall. 
Her  Arer.Pth  rev'u'd  her  tear,  in  (ilence  fall; 
A  beam  cf  giimraeiing  hope  his  grief  allay'd, 
And  thus,  with  grave,  but  genrle  voice,  he  faid—  £0 

O  child  of  love!  f*eet  daughter  of  delight! 
•*.cf  DOS  that  death-like  gaie  our  fouls  affright. 

*hcught  !   to  feme,  and  reaibn,  rife  ! 
Nor  dmnb  and  marbled  gneve  againll  the  Sides, 

y  wvotJ  1.0  earthly  lofs  require:  ;  $5 

li    j  claim*  them,  nor  true  love  infpires. 
.  :s  not  loll  ;  thy  parents  ftill  fjrvive  ; 
And  for  ihy  Miiij  aM  ia  thy  life,  taey  live. 


BOOK      IX.  ztj 

Hefpoke.     Again  the  virgin,  whelmM  In  woes, 
tVith  flow,  and  forceful  effort  feebly  rofe.  60 

His  voice  rever'd  arous'd  her  quickening  foul, 
Loos'dher  fad  tongue,  and  taught  her  tears  to  roll.; 
Prefling  her  mother's  hand,  with  head  reclin'd, 
She  thus  difclos'd  the  anguifhof  her  mind. 

0  beft  of  parents,  e'er  to  daughter  given  !  £$ 
Lov'd,  next  to  Irad  !  reverence,  next  ro  Heaven  ! 

Let  not  thefe  frowns  your  haplefs  child  deftroy, 

Bereft  of  every  hope,  and  every  joy  ! 

What  hand,  what  power,  can  Irad's  breath  reftore  I 

Thofe  eyes  fhall  beam,  that  face  mall  fmile,  no  more  ; 

That  voice  ne'er  warble  mufic's  fweeteft  found  -  y  1 

And  that  pale  form  muft  moulder  in  the  ground. 

'Tis  this,  awakes  the  anguifhof  your  mind  ; 

But  ye  can  weep,  and  weep  to  Heaven  refign'd. 

Not  fo  your  daughter  :  fbrm'd  of  feebler  frame,  75 

Grief  rends  her  foul,  and  damps  the  vital  flame. 

Yet  even  her  heart  but  {hares  the  common  pain. 

Partakes  the  tears  of  all,  and  breathes  their  fight  again* 

Far  round  all  Ifrael  caft  attentive  eyes, 

And  fee  for  him  the  general  anguiih  rife.  So 

See  his  own  fon  the  childlefs  fire  forget ; 

The  childlefs  mother  only  weeps  his  fate  : 

His  fate  alone  the  virgin's  fhrieks  proclaim  ; 

And  the  poor,  wailing  infant  lifps  his  name. 

Even  lifelefs  nature  mourns  him,  wrapp'd  in  gloom,    J5 

O'ercaft  with  woe  and  confeious  of  his  tomb. 

1  faw  the  fun  forlorn,  and  flow,  retire  ; 
I  faw  the  filent  evening  fad  expire ; 

In  (hade?  of  double  gloom  afcend  the  night. 
And  the  ftars  Ianguifh,  with  a  mournful  light.  90 

How  cold  yon  moon  extends  her  widow'd  beam  ! 
Announcing  death,  and  paie  with  fickening  gleam  ! 
How  faint  her  feeble  glimmerings  fpread  the  plain  ! 
How  Qallj  and  lonely,  light  the  azure  mair*! 


2i6  BOOK      tifc 

While  thus  impaffion'd,  lifelefs  nature  all,  oj 

In  fpeechleh  forrow,  mourns  the  hero's  fall ; 
Shall  I,  belov'd,  beyond  all  merit  dear,, 
His  bed  Selima,  and  his  chofen  fair, 
Shall  I,  O  fire  !  with  common  anguifh  weep  ? 
And  o'er  his  grave,  with  dun  indifference,  fleep  ?  Tc- 

Dumb  fields,  and  fenfelefs  foreits  would  reprove 
Such  bafe  oblivion  cf  fo  bright  a  love. 

Pleas'd,  the  great  lire  beheld  her  thoughts  return, 
And  heard  her  melting  accents  Irad  mourn  ; 
And  thus— O  brighteft,  lovelieft  of  thy  kind,  104 

Grac'd  with  each  charm,  that  robes  the  angel's  mind, 
More  dear  than  ever  child  to  fire  was  dear, 
As  virtue  lovely,  and  as  truth  fincere  ! 
Think  not  thy  parents  on  their  darling  frown, 
Or  feel  a  thought  lefs  tender  than  thy  own.  I  ic 

Like  thine,  our  wifhes  the  blefs'd  Youth  approv'd  ; 
Like  thee,  we  chofe  him,  and  like  thee,  we  lov'd. 
But  O  all  beauteous  daughter  !   (hall  thy  fire 
Behold  thee,  whelm'd  in  boundlefs  grief  expire  ? 
Or  fee  thy  life  to  hopelefs  anguiih  given  ?  115 

Or  hear  thee  murmur  'gainrt  a  righteous  Heaven  ? 
Again  to  earth  could  thy  t'oni  Youth  remove, 
His  heart  wcu'.d  chide  thee,  and  his  voice  reprove  ; 
Bid  thee,  fubmifive,  to  thy  Maker  fall, 
Embrace  his  hand,  and  wake  at  duty's  call  j  1  x3 

£id  thee  to  him  thy  pa'lent  thoughts  reh>n, 
And  blame  thv  wanderings,  with  a  love  like  mine; 
From  griePs  excefsj  thy  parent  woulJ  retrain, 
Aflert  Heaven's  rightj  anu  fix  the  bounds  of  pairi. 

An  fire  rever'd  !    the  pleading  maid  returns—-         u- 
No  common  lofs  thv  hapkfs  daughter  mourns'. 
Smirch  the  wide  world.     Can  nil  her  regions  boaft 
One  youth  fo  fair,  <b  bright,  fo  early  loH  f 
How  A,~e  admirM  him  !   how  all  Ifrael  Jov'd  ? 
The  world  applauded  !  and  the  Heavens  approv'd  !    130 


BOOK    tXt  sif 

His  form  was  all,  the  brlghteft  thoughts  can  frame  ; 

Kis  mind  was  all,  the  fondeft  wiih  can  claim  ; 

Whate'er  is  great,  or  good,  or  foft,  or  fair, 

&enVd,  or  lovely,  fix'd  its  manfion  there. 

Even  he,  whofe  hand  the  f acred  fceptre  bears,  13$ 

Is  but  an  Irad,  of  maturer  years. 

It  is,  O  'tis,  as  if,  in  yon  fair  clime,     i 

Some  prince  of  angels,  bright  in  glory's  prime, 

Tfanfcending  every  peer,  in  worth  fupreme, 

Mitred  with  truth,  and  funn'd  with  virtue's  beam,        14Q 

In  youth's  gay  morn,  in  beauty's  endlefs  bloom, 

And  life,  fuperior  to  the  potent  tomb, 

Had  clos'd  his.fmiles,  while  Heaven  refus'dto  fave, 

And  funk  his  glories  in  the  dreary  grave.  - 

What  tears,  for  fuch  a  lofs*  would  feraphs  Hied  ?  145; 

Tears,  rich  as  theirs,  mould  mourn  their  rival  dead. 

,,  And  where,  O  where  fhall  poor  Selima  find 

One  beam  ofli.ght  to  cheer  her  drooping  mind  ? 

Ail  fad,.  I  wander  round  the  earth,  and  fkies  ; 

Tut  no  foft  folace  meets  my  failing  eyes,  \zo 

To  friends  I  My :  thofe  weeping  friends  I  fee 

Sunk  in  the  deep  defpair,  that  buries  me. 

For  him,  O  kiruleuS  tendereft  mother !   rife 

Thy  heart-felt  anguifh,  and  thy  hopelefs  iigha, 

Thy  tears,  all -gentle  fire  !  refiftlefs  fhed,  X55 

Approve  my  grief,  and  weep  the  hero  dead. 

No  cheering  hope  your  fondeft  love  can  give, 

Sooth  your  fad  child,  or  make  her  Irad  live; 

Then  bid  me  mourn  j  this  laft  relief  beftow, 

And  yield  my  bofom  to  the  peace  of  woe.  \Bo 

Opprefs'd  with  grief,  the  feeling  fire  rejoinM— 
oweet,  lovely  charmer  of  thy  father's  mind  ! 
From  earth,  from  friends,  thy  hope  can  never  flow ; 
Too  poor,  to  yield  the  balm  of  real  woe. 
When  real  ills  invade  ;  when  Want  annoys :  16$ 

Wnen  hilfmg  Shame,  with  lingering  death  dellroys  i 
Ff 


jig  BOOK      IX. 

When  pain  torments,  or  ficknefs  waft.es  our  bloo. 

Or  friends  too  dear  defert  us,  for  the  tomb  : 

This  barren  world  no  folace  can  fupply  : 

But  all  earth's  portion  is  to  weep,  and  die.  17O 

Yet  there  are  fprings  whence  hope  and  comfort  rife, 

Springs  of  pure  life,  and  flowing  from  the  ikies  : 

Thence  gentle  Mercy  fends  her  treafures  down, 

And  bright  Religion  makes  the  blifs  her  own. 

To  famiih'd  Want  fhe  fpreads  a  boundlefs  ftore,  175 

•Vith  that  unblefsM,  the  heir  of  worlds  is  poor: 

Repentant  Shame  fhe  bids  to  crowns  afpire, 

Grace  ever  new,  and  glory  ever  higher  : 

On  earth,  in  heaven,  her  wealth  and  honours  rife, 

Ennoble  angels,  and  enrich  the  foies.  1  So 

Decay  and  Pain  to  cheerful  peace  fhe  leads, 

With  patience  arms  them,  and  with  comfort  feeds  ; 

And  points  the  realms,  where  Health  and  Beauty  bloom, 

And  Life,  with  fmilesof  triumph,  braves  the  tomb. 

When  Friends,  if  Virtue's  friends  from  earth  retire,     1 8  5 

And  wade  the  bofom,  with  corroding  fire ; 

She  fees  thofe  friends  again  immortal  live, 

Rife  from  the  grave,  and  dying  worlds  furvive, 

To  each  the  form,  the  mind,  of  angels  given, 

Fair  fons  of  light,  and  habitants  of  heaven.  1  *  ! 

:oo,  and  fhe  alone,  a  Fnend  fecures, 
That  through  all  times,  and  in  all  fcenes,  endures 
At  hand,  to  hear,  to  love,  to  kiefs,  to  fnvc, 
)n  life,  and  death,  and  world*  beyond  ihe  grave  ; 
As  heaven  o'er  earth  fublimc,  aH  j  bote» 

In  power  in  wifdom,  tn il  brc. 

In  grie/,  even  raft  as  thine,  his  hand  can  heal, 
And  teach  the  heart  it?  frttguifti  not  to  I 
Bright  from  the  tomb,  '  rife 

To  peace,  and  life,  and  glory,  in  the  ileics  ;  300 

"'.One  little  moment  fe  thy  arms  ; 

ill  to  meet  thee,  with  fuporior  charms; 


BOOK      IX.  >£$ 

To  hail  thy  rifmg  foul,  from  realms  above  ; 

To  fmile  as  angels,  and  as  Heaven  to  love. 

Then,  O  thou  child  of  truth  !  to  her  controul  205 

Refign  the  tumults  of  thy  troubled  foul.. 

She  on  thy  wounds  mail  fhed  her  healing  power, 

Thy  faith  revive,  thy  wonted  peace  reftore  ; 

With  fofteft  mufic  charm  the  pamng  day  ; 

Bid  Heavenly  yifions  o'er  thee  nightly  play  ;  21$ 

The  tents  of  angels  round  thy  curtains  fpread  : 

Invite  the  guardian  cherub  to  thy  bed  ; 

Calm,  with  fweet  flumlcrs,  every  fbrmy  care, 

And  dry,  with  downy  hand,  the  plaintive  tear. 

She  too  Ibail  life's  rough  path  with  flowers  adorn  ;'     215 

Withfpring's  mild  fp!endor,  cheer  the  wintry  morn  ; 

Thy  yielding  feet,  in  ftrong  temptations  fave  ; 

Welcome  grim  death,  and  triumph  o'er  the  grave  f 

To  brighter  fcenes,  in  happier  regions,  fly, 

And  lift  to  thrones  <*f  glory,  in  the  iky.  22<P 

The  parent  fpoke.     The  haplefs  maiden  fats 
Forlorn,  and  fad,  bewailing  Irad's  fate, 
Silenc'd,  but  not  reliev'd,  her  drooping  mind 
Fail'd  not  to  fighj  nor  yet  to  Heaven  refign'd  : 
At  length  with  vafl,  and  heavy  woes  opprefs'd,  225 

*She  funk  in  {lumbers  of  tumultuous  reft. 

Mild  rofe  the  morn  ;  and,  round  the  tented  plain, 
The  cries  of  thoufandsmourn'd  their  kindred  flain. 
In  filent  woe  the  hoary  parent  Hood, 

And  wail'dhis  hopes,  all  funk  in  fields  of  blood  ;         230 
Hisfons,  fweet  charm  of  nature's  evil  day, 
Fair  light  of  age,  and  life's  molt  pleading  ftay.p 
Now  left  himhelplefs,  and  alone,  to  find 
Some  foreign  aid  to  footh  a  drooping  mind. 
Strong  pangs  of  forrow  rlx'd  his  fpeaking  eye,  2M 

And  his  rack'd  heart  heav'd  deep  the  heavy  figh; 
The  pale,  fad  widow  call  a  tender  view 

•On  her  fweet  race,  and  Hied  the  plaintive  dew* 


no  BOOK     IX. 

Touch'd  with  her  woes,  the  beauteous  orphans  mourn'd, 
And  artlefs  tear3  their  infant  cheeki  adorn 'd.  24c 

The  bride  deplor'd  a  young,  fond  husband's  doom, 
Snatch'd  from  her  arms,  and  baniiVdto  the  tomb; 
Her  joys  all  ended  in  one  dreadful  day  ; 
Her  brighteft  hopes  forever  fwept  away  ; 
No  profpect  left  her,  but  long  years  of  woe  ;  24  J 

No  wifli,  but  ranfom  from  thefe  realms  below. 

Thefe  fcenes,  with  anguifh,  prere'd  the  Leader's  breaft* 

Blank'd  his  fair  profpetts,  and  his  foul  deprefs'd* 
Yet  ftill,  before  the  hoft,  a  cheerful  grace, 

With  blamelefs  art,  array'd  his  tranquil  face.  250 

In  all  their  pains,  to  him  they  caft  their  eyes ; 

Like  a  fond  lire,  he  heard  their  plaintive  cries : 

From  his  calm  brow  they  caught  the  placid  fmile, 

Forgot  their  miferies,  and  defpis'd  their  toil. 

Now  in  thefilence  of  his  tent,  alone    '  255. 

He  mournM  their  fears,  and  made  their  grief  his  own, 

When  Zimri  came,  with  anxious  care  opprefs'd, 

And  Jofhua  thus  his  faithful  friend  addrefs'd. 

Hear'il  thou  what  forrows  fill  the  murmuring  air  ? 

The  warriors'  groans  ?_  and  terrors  of  the  fair  ?  zi$ 

What  tears  of  anguifh  every  face  bedew  ! 

What  throng?  of  orphans  crowd  upon  the  view  ! 

Oh  heavy,  heavy  pangs  Jehovah's  hand 

On  this  fad  heart,  and  on  his  chofen  band  ! 

Ah,  where  is  Hezron?  chief  of  fpotlefs  name  I 

His  life  fo  virtuous  !  and  fo  pure  his  fame  ! 

How  foon.  O  pride  of  nature,  art  thou  fied 

To  the  dark,  lonely  manfion^  of  the  dead  ! 

How  foon  to  thy  compeers,  thine  angels,  given, 

A!l-beauteous  Irad  !  fairclt  plant  of  heaven  '.  273 

But  ftill  fjperior  grace  may  point  a  way, 

Through  the  long  darknefs  to  the  promis'd  day. 

Thefe  mournful  thoughts  with  prudent  care  conceal; 
:  let  thy  guarded  brow  a  pain  reveal, 


BOOK      IX,  22? 

Thy  face  they  watch,  the  motions  of  thine  eye,  275 

Know  all  thy  fears,  and  number  every!  figh. 

When  leaders  fmile,  their  looks  the  hoft  infpire  ; 

Arz  leaders  brave  ?  the  vulgar  catch  the  fire  ; 

With  us  they  faint,  they  tremble,  and  they  grieve; 

With  us  they  joy,  they  dare,  they  die,  they  live.        289 
But  now  more  folemn  fcenea  thy  care  demand  ; 

Choofe  twice  ten  thoufand  cf  the  warrior  band  ; 

To  yonder  haplefs  field  thy  footfteps  fpeed, 

And  pay  the  laft,  fad  honours  to  the  dead. 

In  one  broad  pit,  our  flaqghter'd  friends  entomb  ;      28.5 
Nor  grudge  our  foes  the  fame  un.envied  doom ; 
Let  men,  let  brave  men,  ne;,er  refufe  the  brave 
The  humble  blefling  of  a  peaceful  grave. 

I  go,  the  darling  hero's  fate  to  clofe, 
And  bid  the  matchlefs  Youth  a  fweet  repofe  1  250 

'Tis  all  we  can,  the  friendly  tear  to  fhed, 
And  raife  the  light  tomb  o'er  his  lovely  head. 

With  foft  affections,  thus  the  mighty  Chief: 
And  Zimri  flow  retir'd,  with  anfwering  grief. 
Meantime,  grave  warriors,  in  black  robes  array'd,      29? 
And  many  a  youth,  and  many  a  lovely  maid, 
Along  the  northern  green,  the  Chief  purfued  ; 
Flowers  grac'd  their  hands,  and  tears  their  cheeks  bedewM, 
For  now  brave  Irad  clos'd  His  final  doom, 
Borne  to  his  darkfome,  everlailing  home.  300 

Behind  the  bier,  that  slow,  and  folemn  mov'd,, 
Penfive  Selirha  fol'ow'd  him  fne  lov'd  ; 
On  :he  iad  coffin  fix'd  a  ftedfaft  eye  ; 
Nor  dropp'd  a  tear,  nor  breath'd  a  tender  figfc. 
Her  dark-brown  hair  a  wreath  of  rofes  crown'd  ;  305 

Her  robes  of  fable  flow'd  along  the  ground  ; 
A  flower,  jaft  openiag  to  the  morning  dew, 
Blolh'ct  in  her  hand,  and  brightened  to  the  view. 

N'ow  in  the  grave  the  breathiefs  Youth  was  laid : 
S^dly  ferene  advane'd  the  lovely  maid  ;  310 


£22  BOOK      IX. 

With  fpeaking  eyes,  bewail'd  her  haplefs  doom, 

And  dropp'd  the  floweret  in  the  lonely  tomb. 

High  on  the  plain  the  funeral  earth  was  fpread  ; 

The  turPs  gay  verdure  flourifh'd  o'er  his  head  : 

Each  gentle  face  deplor'd  his  lot  fevere,  31$ 

And  fpoke  th'  expreffive  language  of  a  tear. 

Near  the  fair  maiden  flood  th' exalted  Chief, 
Fix'd  in  mute  woe,  and  great  in  manly  grief. 
No  ill-tim'd  comfort  would  he  ilrive  to  lend, 
Nor  ape  the  flatteries  of  the  fpecious  friend  :  320 

Yet  the  foft  texture  of  his  heart  could  feel- 
Why  mould  he  ope  the  wound  he  could  not  heal  ? 

As  thus  their  bofoms  waii'd  his  haplefs  end, 
And  mourn'd,  as  each  had  loft  his  chofen  friend  : 
Admir'd  why  Heaven  had  made  fuch  worth  in  vain,  325 
And  why  connVd  it  to  the  dreadful  plain  ; 
His  generous  deeds  in  deep  difpair  ran  o'er, 
And  faw  him  live,  and  fpeak,  and  a<5r,  no  more ; 
Through  the  fad  filence  of  the  foltmn  fcene, 
The  bands  of  Zimri  crofs'd  the  gloomy  green.  33c 

XJnnumber'd  widows,  on  the  field,  they  found, 
Whofe  fons,  whofe  hufoands,  ftrew'd  the  crimfon  ground  ; 
Slow  mov'd  the  fair-ones  round  the  dreadful  pi 
Wafh'd  the  black  gore,  and  prov'd  the  countkfs  flain  ; 
And  when  the  partners  of  their  joys  they  knew,  335 

They  cleans'd  their  itifFen'd  wounds  in  briny  dew  ; 
"Waii'd  their  hard  lot,  that  fwept,  in  life's  gay  bloom, 
Each  hope,  each  rapture,  to  the  fullen  tomb  ; 
With  tears  of  anguiih,  envied  earth  its  trull, 
And  grudg'd  the  grave  the  Iov  \\  the  precious  duft.       340 

Three  dJ^s,  above  the  undiflinguilVd  dead, 
Their  friends,  ftnd  gathered  earth  was  fpread. 

A  hill  of  nones,  Aid  wound  to  human  pride  ! 
Juft  mark'd  the  place,  where  countlefs  warriors  died. 

As  there,  in  future  years,  the  lonely  fwain  345 

Ehove  his  finall  Hock,  to  feed  the  grafs-groyvn  plain, 


BOOK      IX.  22$ 

Near  the  rough  mafs,  in  folemn  thought,  reclin'd, 

Thus  fad  reflexions  fill'd  his  pondering  mind. 

Ah  proud  inglorious  man  !  whofe  infect  life 

Is  loft  in  pain,  in  vanity,  and  ftrife.  350 

What  mighty  toils,  to  gain  immortal  fame  ! 

What  wattes,  what  /laughters,  build  the  darling  name  !  • 

Yet  this  rude  tomb,  this  (hapelefs  pile,  contains, 

Of  chiefs,  of  kings,  the  pear,  the  fole  remains. 

This  prize  to  win,  muft  nations  then  expire  ?  355 

And  feats  of  peace,  and  joy,  be  whelm'd  in  fire  ? 

Oh  Heaven,  in  pity,  loofe  the  ties,  that  bind 

To  man's  black  race,  a  juft  and  honeft  mind  ! 

Low  funk  the  fun.     As  now  the  chief  return'd 
From  midft  the  camp,  and  haplefs  Ifrael  mourn'd*     36a 
Harefhah  fad,  befide  his  tent,  he  found  ; 
Proitrate  he  fell,  and  reverent  kiiVd  the  ground.    - 
Uprah'd  by  Jofhua's  hand,  again  he  Rood,  * 

And  thus  his  fear  in  plaintive  accents  flow'd. 
Hail  mighty  prince  !  to  thee  alone  tis  given,  365 

To  tafte  the  favour  of  indulgent  Heaven  ; 
To  guide,  with  profperous  hand,  the  race  hechofe,  * 

And  hurl  deftru&ion  on  refilling  foes. 
Thou  know'ft,  with  thee  how  Gibeon'sfons  are  join'd; 
What  views  unite  us,  and  what  covenants  bind  ;  370 

This,  through  the  circling  realms  by  fame  was  fung, 
And  round  each  realm,  th'  alarm  of  vengeance  rung  : 
To  wafte  her  domes  the  general  voice  decreed, 
And  millions  haite  t'  atchieve  the  barbarous  deed. 
Salem's  inrperious  fons,  in  proud  array,  37^ 

And  haughtier  Hebron,  thither  bend  their  way  ; 
In  martial  pomp  unnumber'd  Lachifli  (nines, 
And  Jarmuth  brave  with  favage  Eglon  joins  ; 
With  thefe,  fierce  nations  fpeed  from  realms  unknown, 
Near  the  firft  glimmering^  of  the  davvning  fun.  3  So 

There  too,  O  Prince  !   tremendous  Jabin  ftands, 
Brings  all  his  chisfs,  and  leads  his  veteran  bands, 


"4 


BOOK      IX, 


Wings  the  dread  lightnings  of  the  war  around, 

Arid  rolls  his  thunders  o'er  th'  embattled  ground.        26a 

From  thefe  dread  powers,  fo  numerous,  and  fo  brave, 
Nought  lefs  than  Heaven,  and  thy  own  hand,  can  fave. 
Worne  with  long  years,  Aradon's  trembling  arm 
111  wards  the  vengeance  of  To  fierce  a  florin. 
And,— O  exalted  Prince  !   prepare  to  hear  » 
A  tale  more  fad  than  ever  piere'd  thine  ear-—  3^ 

In  the  dark  frave  is  generous  Elam  laid, 
And  near  him  ileeps  the  Heaven-inftrufled  maid. 

How  fell  the  lovely  pair  ?  the  Leader  cried  ; 
An2,  with  fad  voice,  the  flranger  chief  replied. 
When  cheerful  morn  Walk'd  forth  in  golden  air,  59; 

Rode  the  young  hero,  and  his  blooming  fair, 
With  nimble  hounds,  that  bade  the  foreft  roar  ,* 
To  chace  the  buck,  to  wound  the  briitly  boar ; 
On  two  white  fteeds  they  bounded  o'er  the  plain, 
And  gayly  round  them  prane'd  a  youthful  train.  4ch 

No  coats  of  fteely  mail  their  limbs  inveft  : 
fto  buckler  iparkles  o'er  the  fearlefs  bread  ; 
'/hro'  fylvan  fhades  they  trae'd  an  eafy  way  t 
Each  mind  was  funfhine,  and  each  face  was  g?y< 

At  once,  with  dreadful  din  before  them  rote  4C5 

The  trump  of  death,  and  fhout  of  favage  fee: I. 
From  the  thick  covert  burft  a  barbarous  throng, 
Rang  clafhing  arms,  and  fcream'd  a  hideous  long  ; 
His  gallant  friends,  a  young,  butchofen  few, 
The  prince,  ferenely  brave,  around  him  drew  ;  4:0 

With  firm,  bold  breaft,  they  fought,  and  at  his  fide,, 
Th  death  they  triumph'd,  for  with  him  thty  died. 

As  thro'  his  bofom  fung  the  fataJ  fleel, 
He  rai.s'd  his  hand,  rind  wav'd  a  long  farewil; 
On  the  fweet  maid  his  eye  all-wifnful  hung,  415 

lalf  form'd  accents  ccaf'd  upon  hi^  tongue, 
k  round  the  youth  a  tender  arrt  ihe  threw, 
f  is  he  fell,  and  wifh'd  to  peri;!;  too. 


BOOK      DC/  22$ 

The  quivering  form  me  prefs'd,  in  icy  death, 

.Kifs'd  his  pale  lips,  and  fuck'd  his  parting  breath.        42  0 

No  more  her  carelefs  thoughts  attempt  to  fly  ; 

No  more  her  ear  attends  the  horrid  cry  : 

Clofe  to  ttit  wound  her  fnowy  hand  applied 

Withdrew  the  lance,  and  itoppM  the  purple  tide. 

A  grim  barbarian  to  the  fair-one  came,  4*£ 

Pierc'd  her  white  fide,  and  forc'd  the  vital  ftreani ; 

With  one  weak  gafp,  on  Elands  bofom  laid, 

Her  bloom  all  vanifh'd,  and  her  fpirit  fled. 

In  diils nt  fields,  we  heard  the  trumpet's  founds 
And  ilrode  impatient  to  the  fatal  ground.  430 

On  the  fadfeene^  by  favouring  fhrubs  conceal'd, 
A  youth,  unarm'd,  the  dire  event  beheld  : 
He,  drown'd  in  tears,  difclos'd  the  fierce  affray, 
And  fnew'd  where  Mina,  and  her  Elam,  layl 
On  the  cold  earth,  the  wither 'd  leaves  he  prefs'd  5       435 
The  fair  yet  panting  at  his  lifelefs  bread. 
Her  hand  was  feebly  laid  againft  the  fpear, 
Still  in  her  fide,  and  in  her  eye  a  tear. 
So  blooms  a  flower  befide  th*  autumnal  ftrearh, 
And  waves,  and  wantons,  in  the  folar  beam,  44--> 

Nor  knows  the  froit,  that  in  the  midnight  (ky 
Lurks  for  its  charms,  and  bias  its  beauty  die. 

The  haplefs  pair  in  fnow-white  robes  array'd, 
To  the  fame  grave  oar  friendly  hands  convey'd. 
Kind  youths,  and  tiTgins,  there  at  dawn  appear,         445 
Strew  fragrant  flowers,  and  drop  the  tender  tear  ; 
There  the  fad  wijfl  rofe  yields  its  withering  bloom. 
And  melancholy  muiic  mourns  their  doom. 
Pierc'd  thro*  his  thigh,  and  weltering  on  the  ground, 
A  favage  wretch ,  beneath  an  oak,  we  found,  45© 

By  favours  won,  he  fhew'd  th'  impending  doom, 
What  bands  are  gather'd,lJnd  what  heroes  come.     . 
To  fpy  thefe  realms,  he  cried,  from  Hebron's  land, 
Thro*  many  a  foreft  rov'd  our  warlike  band-.- 
Gg 


%&  BOOK      IX, 

Led  by  bold  Boham,  from  far  diftant  fhcres,  455 

Thence  countlefs  hods  invade  yon  ihining  towers ; 
There  giant  Zedeck's  lofty  car  is  roll'd  ; 
There  beams  young  Piram  in  refulgent  gold ; 
High  rais'd  in  air,  tea  thoufand  ftandards  play, 
And  chiefs  urmumber'd  hail  the  deathful  day.  460 

Thus  fpoke  the  wretch.     As  o'er  yon  mountain's  brow 
I  fteer'd  my  path,  and  eyed  the  world  below, 
3Trom  diftant  fields,  the  trump's  approaching  found 
Wav*do'er  the  plains,  and  fill'd  the  groves  around  ; 
Swift  tow 'rd  the  walls  long,  dufty  volumes  came,        465 
And  dreadful  gleams  ofinterrupted  flame  j 
On  high  the  banners  danc'd  ;  a  mighty  train, 
With  lines  immeafuraHe,  hid  the  plain. 

Oh,  by  the  covenant,  which  thy  voice  hath  given, 
By  the  bleft  favour  of  all-bounteous  Heaven,  47c* 

That  Heaven,  which  makes  thee  his  peculiar  care, 
Aid  our  weak  race,  and  grant  our  righteous  pr^ver  ! 

Thus  mourn'd  the  chiefr  while  Caleb  flow  drew  nigh, 
&is  anguiiVd  bofom  heaving  many  a  figh  ; 
His  foul,  in  filen:e,  mourn'd  the  haplefs  pair,  4^5 

All-lovely  IraJ  and  his  beauteous  fair  ; 
V/hen  Jofhua  fad  the  hoary  fage  addrefs'd-— 
Great  prince,  this  night  Harefhah  U  thy  gueft, 
His  voice  a  mourr.rui  tale  from  Gibeon  brings. 
How  'gainil  her  walls  Canaan  arms  her  kings.  jl$2 

Our  aid  he  claims ;  an  aid  by  covena«wdu*  ; 
$ut  ah,  what  griefs  our  haplefs  race  purfue  ! 
A^ain  th'  Eternal  -\rm  our  courfe  withftands. 
Cuts  oft"  our  cMcfs,  and  flays  our  haplels  bands. 
Y\rl\  Hezron  llcpt  ;  then  virtuous  Uzal  fell,  485 

And  brave  Shclumiel  bade  the  world  farewel, 
Next  lovely  Iracl  found  a  haplefs  doom  : 
And  now  fweet  Mina  fecks  ai>«irly  tomb. 
Shonld  ftill  new  courfes  unadvised  be  tried, 

h  wrath  may  kindle,  and  frefli  ill*  be  ride.  49* 


•BO    OK     IX,  h* 

Let  then  this  chief  in  peace  with  the€  retire, 

'Till  Heaven  his  counfels,  and  our  coarfe,  infpirc. 
He  fpoke.     Harefhah  with  the  fagc  withdrew, 

While  the  fun  lingering  flowly  left  the  view ; 

The  mourning  Hero  fought  a  flight  repofe,  495 

And  broken  {lumbers  o'er  iiis  eye-lids  rofe. 

Now  Night,  in  veftments  rob'd,  of  cloudy  die, 

With  fable  grandeur  cloth'd  the  orient  fky, 

impell'd  the  fun,  obfequious  to  her  reign, 

Down  the  far  mountains  to  the  weftern  main  ;  JCp 

With  magic  hand,  becalm'd  the  folemn  even, 

And  drew  day's  curtain  from  thefpangled  heaven. 

At  once  the  planets  fail'd  around  the  throne  ; 

At  once  ten  thoufand  worlds  in  fplendor  ihone  : 

Behiad  her  car,  the  moon's  expanded  eye  50c 

Role  from  a  cloud,  and  look'd  around  the  fky  : 

Far  up  thJ  immenfe  her  train  fublimely  rol-1,1 

And  dance,  and  triumph,  round  the  lucid  pole. 

Faint  mine  the  fields,  beneath  the  fhadowy  ray  : 

Slow  fades  the  glimmering  of  the  well  away  ;  5  jo 

To  fleep  the  tribes  retire  ;  and  not  a  found 

Flows  through  the  air,  or  murmurs  on  the  ground. 

The  Chief,  arifi ng,  o'er  the  darkfome  green 
Turn'd  his  flow  fteps,  and  view'd  the  fplemlid  fcene  ; 
V/ith  wondering  gaze,  furvey'd  the  vaulted  even,         5 1  c 
The  half-feen  world,  and  all  the  pomp  of  Heaven, 
Wide  arch'd  the  palace  of  th'  Almighty  hand, 
Its  walls  far-bending  o  er  the  fea,  and  land  : 
Round  the  vaft  rcof,  from  antient  darknefs  fprung, 
In  living  pride,  immortal  tapers  hunp  :  c  2-0 

The  lamp  on  high  an  endlefs  luftre  fhed, 
And  earth's  broad  pavement  all  beneath  wasfpread. 
Ivoin  dlilaiit  hills,  red  flames  began  to  rife, 
Topp'd  the  tails  towers,  and  climb'd  the  kindling  flues : 
Thick  ftream'd  the  transient  flars  ;  and  all  around      cat 
A  ftillj  raild  glory  rob'd  the  twilight  ground. 


222  BOO    K      IX. 

Now  tow'rd  the  north  he  bent  his  wandering  way, 
Each  fcene  revolving  of  the  bufy  day , 
When  lo  !  foft  (bunds  his  ftartled  ear  afTail, 
Soft  as  the  whifper  of  the  flowing  gale.  ,  53S 

Now  mournful  murmurs  (lowly-pen  five  rife  ; 
Now  languid  harmony  in  filence  dies  : 
Now  nobler  (trains,  with  animating  (ire, 
Warm  the  bold  raptures  of  the  living  lyre. 

Whither,  O  whither  is  thy  beauty  gone  ?  535 

To  what  far  region  ?  to  what  world  unknown  r 
No  lone,  drear  (hades  of  everlafling  gloom, 
Verg'd  on  the  confines  of  the  icy  tomb, 
No  frozen  climes,  extend  impervious  bounds, 
Confine  thy  walks,  and  bar  thy  active  rounds,  54- 

Forbid  thy  upward  flight  at  large  to  rove, 
And  climb  the  mountains  of  eternal  love. 

Far  other  fcenes  thy  lovely  fpirit  claim  ; 
Far  other  manfions  own  thy  lading  fame. 
Borne  on  light  wings,  I  fee  thy  guardian  com',  545 

Unchain  thy  mind,  and  point  the  flarry  home  : 
With  joy,  he  clafps  thee  in  immortal  arms, 
Waves  his  young  plumes,  and  (miles  ethcrial  charms; 
Through  fields  of  air,  he  wins  his  purple  way, 
And  rofy  choirs,  delighted,  round  him  play.  550 

There,  o'er  bright  realms,  and  pure,  unchanging  (kies, 
Sens  gayly  walk,  and  lucid  morns  arife  ; 
Crown'd  with  new  flowers,  the  dreams  perpetual  roll, 
And  living  beauty  blooms  around'thc  pole. 
Will  there,  alas  !   the  foft  enchantment  ei  ■  55- 

And  can  no  love  to  thcfe  fair  climes  afccnd  t 
Jt  can  ;   it  will ;    for  there  the  blefs'd  improve 
Their  minds  in  joy,  and  where  's  the  joy,  but  love  ? 

Canftthou  forget,  when,  call'd  from  iouthcrn  bowers, 
Love  tun'd  the  groves,  and  fpringawak'd  the  flowers, 
How,  loos'd  from  (lumbers  by  the  morning  ray,  561 

O'er  balmy  plains  we  bent  our  frequent  way  ? 


B    O    O    K    IX.  329 

On  thy  fond  arm,  with  pleafmg  gaze,  I  hung, 

And  heard  fweet  mufic  murmur  o'er  thy  tongue  ; 

Hand  lock'd  in  hand,  with  gentle  ardour  prefs'd,         565 

Pour'd  foft  emotions  through  the  heaving  bread, 

In  magic  tranfport  heart  with  heart  entwin'd, 

And  in  fweet  languors  loft  the  melting  mind. 

'Twas  then, (  thy  voice,  attua'd  to  wifdohVs  lay, 
Shew'd  fairer  worlds,  and  trac'<l  th'  immortal  way  ;    570 
In  virtue's  plealing  paths  my  footfteps  tried, 
My  fweet  companion,  and  my  fkiliful  guide  ; 
Through  varied  knowledge  taught  my  mind  to  foar, 
Search  hidden  truths,  and  new-found  walks  explore  : 
While  ftill  the  tale,  by  nature  learn'd  to  rove,  575 

Slid,  unperceiv'd  to  fcenes  of  happy  love. 
'Till  weak,  and  loft,  the  faltering  converfe  fell, 
And  eyes  difclos'd  what  eyes  alone  could  tell ; 
In  rapturous  tumult  bade  the  paflions  roll, 
And  fpoke  the  living  language  of  the  foul.  580 

With  what  fond  hope,  through  many  a  blifsful  hour, 
We  gave  the  foul  to  fancy's  plealing  power  ; 
Loft  in  the  magic  of  that  fweet  employ 
To  build  gay  fcenes,  and  faihion  futaflejoy  ! 
We  faw  mild  Peace  o'er  fair  Canaan  rife,  585 

And  iho'.verher  pleafures  from  benignant  ikies, 
On  airy  hills  our  happy  manfion  rofe, 
Built  but  for  joy,  nor  room  referv'd  for  woes. 
Round  the  calm  folitude,  with  ceafelefs  fong, 
Soft  rolPd  domeftic  ecftafy  along  :  ijqq 

Sweet  as  the  Heep  of  Innocence,  the  day, 
By  raptures  number'd,  lightly  danc'd  away  ; 
To  love,  to  blifs,  the  union 'd  foul  was  given, 
And  each,  too  happy  !   afk'd  no  brighter  heaven. 
Yet  then,  even  then,  my  trembling  thoughts  would  rove, 
And  ileal  on  hour  from  Irad,  and  from  love,  596 

Through  dread  futurity  all-anxious  roam, 
And  Ciui  a  mournful  glance  on  ills  to  come. 


is*  BOOK      IX. 

L-.'ope  not,  fond  maid,  fome  voice  prophetic  cried— 

A  life,  thus  wafted  down  th'  unruffled  ride  :  6c% 

Waft  no  gay,  golden  doom,  from  anguifh  free, 

Nor  wifh  the  laws  of  Heaven  reversed  for  thee. 

Survey  the  peopled  world  ;  thy  foul  ihall  find 

7/oes,  ceafclefs  woes,  ordatn'd  {or  poor  mankind. 

s  a  lcng.folitude,  an  unknown  gloom,  60$ 

Clo's'd  by  the  filence  of  the  dreary  tomb. 

For  foon,  ah  foon  mail  fleet  thy  pleafing  dreams ; 
Soon  clofe  the  eye,  that,  bright  as  angels,  beams 
Grace  irrefiitible.     To  mouldering  clay 
Shall  change  the  face,  that  fmiles  thy  griefs  away  :     610 
Socm  the  fweet  mufic  of  that  voice  be  o'er, 
Hope  ceafe  to  charm,  and  beauty  bloom  no  more  : 
Strange,  darkfome  wilds,  and  devious  ways  be  trod, 
Nor  love,  RQr  Irad,  fteal  thy  heart  from  God. 
And  muft  the  hours  in  ceacelefs  anguifti  roll  ?  61  ; 

Muit  no  foft  funfhine  cheer  my  clouded  foul  ? 
Spring  charm  around  me  brighteft  fcenes,  in  vMn  ? 
And  Youth's  angelick  viiions  wake  to  pain  ? 
Oh  come  once  more,  with  fond  endearments  come  ; 
Burft   the  cold  priMl  of  the  fullen  tomb  ;  6zo 

Thro'  favourite  walks,  thy  chofen  maid  attend  ; 
Where  well-known  (hades  for  thee  their  branches  bend 
£hed  the  fweet  poifon  from  thy  fpcaking  eye  ; 
And  look  thofe  raptures,  lifolefs  words  deny  i 
Still  be  the  tale  rehears'd,  that  ne'er  could  tire  ;  G15 

But,  told  each  eve,  frefh  pleasure  could  infpirc  : 
Still  hop'd  thofe  fcenes,  which  love  and  fancy  drew  ; 
But,  drawn  a  thoufand  time?,  were  ever  new  ! 

Yet  ccafe,  fond  maid  ;    'tis  thine  alone  to  mourn  : 
Yield  .he  bright  fcenes,  that  never  c;:n  return.  65Q 

Thy  joyr;  are  fled,  thy  fminng  morn  is  o'er  ; 
'i  el  'd  in  youth,  then  mull  be  hlefs'd  no  more, 

hope,  that  brighten'd,  with  all-pleafing  ray, 
•.',  but  to  charm,  and  flatter  J,  to  betrav, 


BOOK      IX.  zji 

No  tnorerfafr  Irad  heeds  my  tender  (trait*  ;  655 

£)ull  is  the  voice,  that  never  call'd  in  vain  ; 
Vain  the  coldlanguifh  of  thefe  once  lov'd  eyes  ; 
And  vain  the  fond  defire,  that  bids  him  rife. 
la  life's  gay  feenes,  their  higheft  grace  before, 
Thy  mind,  O  Youth  divine  !  mult  mare  no  moire  ;     64^ 
Alike  unnoticM,  joys  and  tumults  roll, 
Nor  thefe  difturb,  nor  thofe  delight,  thy  fout. 

Again'  all  bright  /hall  glow  the  morning  beam  ; 
/bgain  foft  funs  difTolve  the  frozen  ftream  : 
Spring  call  young  breezes  from  the  fouthern  ikies*      64$ 
And,  cloath'd  in  fplendor,  flowery  millions  rife. 
In  vain  to  thee--No  morn's  indulgent  ray 
Warms  the  cold  manlionof  the  (lumbering  clay, 
No  mild  etherial  gale,  with  tepid  wing, 
Shall  fan  thy  locks,  or  waft  approaching  fpring  :         65$ 
Unfelt,  unknown,  fhall  breathe  the  rich  perfume, 
And  unhear'd  mufxc  wave  around  thy  tomb. 

A  cold,  dumb,  dead  repofe  inverts  thee  round  ; 
JrtiU  as  the  void,  ere  nature  form'd  a  found. 
Jn  thy  dark  region,  piere'd  by  no  kind  ray,,  65? 

To  roll  the  long,  oblivious  hours  away^. 
In  thefe  wild  walk?,  this  folitary  round, 
Where  the  pale  moon-beam  lights  the  glimmering  ground 
At  ea(*h  fad  turn,  I  view'd  thy  fpirit  eome, 
And  glide,  half-feen,  behind  a  neighbouring  tomb  ;  66& 
With  vifionary  hand,  forbid  my  flay, 
Look  o'er  the  grave,  and  beckon  me  away. 

But  vain  the  with  ;  forftill,  around  thy  tomb. 
This  faithful  hand  mail  bid  the  wild  rofe  bloom; 
Each  lonely  ev*,  Selima  hither  rove,  65% 

And  pay  the  tribute  of  unaltered  love  ; 
Till,  O  fond,  lovely  youth  !  thefe  eyes  fha'1  clofe, 
SealM  in  the  filence  of  a  long  repofe  ; 
Beneath  one  turf  our  kindred  dodies  lie, 
And  l&fs,  unpain'd,  this  melancholy  £ky,  (■■  \> 


zjt  BOOK      Ifc  ' 

With  thee,  well-pleas'd,  the  final  pang  I'll  brave  \ 
With  thee  Death  fmile,  and  lightibme  be  the  grave  : 
O'er  earth's  broad  fields,  till  heaven  forget  to  reign, 
And  funs  benighted  vanifh  in  the  main  ; 
This  dark  recefs  the  cherub  then  ffiall  find,  •  67$ 

And  wake  a  form,  angelic  as  thy  mind. 

Diftrefs'd,  kind  Jolhua  heard  her  moving  {train, 
But  ftill  waik'd  onward  o*er  the  mady  plain  ; 
Why  fliould  his  face  her  mournful  thoughts  molefx, 
Tho'  foft  compamon  warm'd  his  feeling  bread;  680 

No  comfort  could  he  lend,  nor  joy  impart, 
While  /lumbering  Irad  own'd  her  tender  heart 

And  now  his  footfteps  flow  and  foftly  rove, 
Thro'  the  black  filence  of  th'  extended  grove  ; 
Alternate  moon-beams  feebly  pierce  the  made,  6i$ 

And  o'er  his  path  a  glimmering  horror  fpread  ; 
Strange,  awful  objects  dimly  rife  around, 
And  forms  unfinifh'd  cloath  the  gloomy  ground. 
With  mournful  thoughts  the  profpeel  wellccmbin'd, 
And  footh'd  the  wanderings  of  a  drooping  mind.        6qq 
Around  he  cait  his  melancholy  eyes, 
And  pleas 'd,  beheLd  the  folemn  fcenes  arife  ; 
Scenes  tun'd  in  concert  with  his  fadden'd  foul, 
To  grief  refign'd,  and  pity's  foft  controul ; 
The  gloom,  the  filence,  gave  a  kind  relief;  6^J 

Feace  fpr'ung  from  trouble,  and  delight  from  grief? 
His  heart  impaflion'd  mourn'd  his  daughter's  doom, 
Her  charms,  her  virtues,  baniPa'd  to  the  to- 
Then  haplefs  lrad  all  his  woes  rcnew'd, 
And  copious  tears  afVcfn  his  cheeks  bedurd  :  70c* 

At  length,  the  tumults  of  his  Itruggling  brca.r. 
Unwifli'd,  unbidden  accents  thus  evprcfs'd. 

Oh,  when  flrall  Ifrael's  countlefs  forrOvy^  [ 
And  war  once  more  rcfign  to  laftin 

1  rifuig  morn,  morj  dreadful  woej  appear. 
And  each  fad  evening  prompts  a  larger  K 


BOOK     IX;  s& 

Why  did  pale  terror  Judah's  race  appal  ) 

Why  princes,  chiefs,  and  generous  thoufands  fall  ? 

Ah  !  why  did  rleaven  to  me  commit  the  fway. 

And  bid  his  fons  this  feeble  arm  obey  ?  f  I* 

Ch  had  the  Power  divine  for  me  ordain'd 

Some  humble  manfion,  in  a  lonely  iand ; 

Where  the  trump's  voice  was  never  never  heard  ? 

Nor  falchion  drawn,  nor  fav^ge  flaughter  fear'd  ! 

In  quiet  then  my  life  had  pa-Vd  away,  71$ 

Blefs'd  without  pride*  and  without  fpiendor  gay  % 

In  death,  my  foul  ferenelv  met  her  doom, 

And  my  own  children  built  my  humble  tomb. 

At  once  a  wild,  and  vifionary  found* 
With  fudden  murmurs,  fill'd  the  grove  around  $  72© 

The  Grange  alarm  now  loud  and  louder  grew, 
And  through  the  foreft  burfting  fplendor  flew  $ 
A  Form,  the  brighteft  of  the  morning  choir,- 
£>rew  near,  in  all  the  pomp  of  heavenly  fire  $ 
Twelve  ftars  of  glory  crown'd  his  awful  head  $  735 

His  fun-bright  eyes  the  forky  lightening  fhed  $ 
Serene,  but  dreadfully  ferene,  he  ftood, 
And  a  dire  trembling  feia'd  the  confcious  wood* 
As  when  a  iiorm  the  dark  horizon  iiils, 
Long,  folemn  thunders  roll  o'er  diftant  hills  $  730 

So,  from  the  Villon's  voice,  a  fearful  found 
Appall'd  his  ear,  and  (hook  the  ihrtled  ground. 
Chief  of  thy  race  !  from  heaven's  eternal  King, 
At  his  command,  this  faered  charge  I  bring* 
1am  the  Lord.     I  form'd  the  earth,  and  iky,        735 
lllum'd  the  fun,  and  hung  his  flames  on  high  ; 
Bade  worlds,  in  millions,  flar  th'  etherial  plain. 
And  built  the  fecret  chambers  of  the  main. 
%Ay  voice,  the  heaven,  and  heaven  of  heavens  obey; 
And  Ocean,  Earth,  and  Hell,  confefsmy  fway.  740 

Through  worlds,  on  worlds,  in  Being's  mighty  bounds, 
That  roll  through  fpace'  illimitable  rounds  5 
Hh 


*U  »    O    ©    fc     IX. 

Where  fties,  o'er  flcies,  unmcafurM  arches  bene*, 

And  fWs,  o'er  liars,  in  endlefs  pride  afcend  ; 

Where  the  fun's  fearching  beam  hath  never  ray'd,       71  J 

T^or  fcarce  an  angel's  pinion'd  fancy  ftray'd  ; 

Ivl  y  power,,  my  wifdom,  with  divine  controul, 

Surveys,  preferves,  4ire6h  and  moves,  the  whole. 

Ail  theie,  with  all  tiieir  fcenes,  th'  eternal  Mind, 

Ere  angels  fung,  or  heaven  began,  defign'd.  75* 

Vt  hate'er  my  voice  ordained  to  being  came, 

Vouch'd  by  th'  immortal,  all-infpiring  flame. 

In  all,  though  man,  with  vain,  benighted  eye, 

Of  inledl  ken,  unnumber'd  blots  defcry, 

From  hell's  deep  caves,  to  heaven's  fublimeft  bound,  75$ 

JMoftain,  no  fault,  no  error,  can  be  found. 

VVhofe  thoughts  mall  then  my  boundlefc  wifdora  blame? 
Whofe  wifites  rife  againft  my  holy  Name  > 
My  fpirit  f6rm'd  thee  in  the  filent  womb, 
And  wrote,  with  Mercy's  hand,  thy  favourite  doom ;  76s 
Thy  foul  awak'd,  thy  infant  limbs  infpir'd. 
With  truth  illum'd  thee,  and  with  virtue  fir'd; 
Bade  all  my  fons  thy  fceptred  rule  obey, 
And  ftretch'd  thy  glory  with  the  folar  ray. 
And  {hail  thy  heart  my  bounteous  hand  diftruft,  765 

And  mourn  that  warriors  mingle  with  the  duft  ? 
"What  though  brave  Irad  from  the  world  retir'd, 
Tho'  numerous  bands  around  his  fleps  etfpir'd  ; 
Without  a  fear,  without  a  pang,  refign  ; 
That  virtuous  Youth,  and  all  chofe  bands,  were'mlne.77# 
With  fongsthc  grace  adore,  thatrais'd  thy  mind, 
*rom  the  low  confines  of  the  beftial  kind, 
Where  countlels  throngs  plod  on  their  bafe  purfuits, 
Above,  and  jufl  above,  rheir  kindrid  brutes, 
To  that  iublimcrt  honour,  man  can  know,  yfg 

To  blefs  my  fons,  and  {hew  m>  praiie,  below. 

Forgive,  O  HeaVen  !  forgive---the  Hero  cried; 
A iid  milder  thus  tne  Yifioa's  voice  replied. 


BOOK      IX.  *3S 

©  Chief  of  Ifrael !  let  no  rebel  thought  779 

Accufe  the  wonders,  God's  right  hand  hath  wrought. 

While  his  almighty  arm  thy  courfe  fuftains, 

Aflc  not  what  numbers  crowd  embattled  plains. 

From  the  broad  circuit  of  her  various  lands, 

He  calFd  to  fight  Canaan's  countlefs  bands  s 

He  bids  thee  feailefs  tempt  t%e  martial  field,  7S5 

And  truft  the  covert  of  his  guardian  Ihield. 

For  there,  in  virtue's  caufe,  thy  God  (hall  arm, 

And  pour  the  vengeance  of  the  baleful  (form  ; 

The  fun  ftand  ftill ;  the  moon  thy  voice  obey  ; 

And  the  bright  angel  fweep  thy  foes  away.  790 

But  now  to  nobler  fcenes  thy  views  exten4  ! 
See  long  futurity  ia  pomp  afcend  \ 
The  varying  doom  of  Ifrael's  wayward  race  ; 
How  truth  exalts  them,  and  how  crimes  debafe  ; 
Their  arts,  their  arms,  their  towns,  and  towers,  behold, 
Fields  of  fair  flocks,  and  domes  inchaf'd  with  gold  !     796 
High  Heaven  around  them  fpreads  his  bleflings  far 
Or  proves,  and  fcourges,  with  vindictive  war  I 
There  too,  fucceflive,  fee  the  wonders  rife,    ' 
That  guard,  and  bleis,  the  Children  of  the  fkies ;        8o« 
Thy  own  bright  Ifrael ;  Heaven's  immortal  rase, 
f>av'd  by  his  Son,  and  fainted  by  his  grace  ; 
To  Jacob's  ehofen  feed  at  firft  conf  n'd„ 
Then  wide,  and  wider,  fpread  to  all  mankind  ! 
With  more  than  mortal  ken,  thy  raptur'd  foul  8©£ 

Shall  fee  far  diftant  times  in  vifion  roll  ; 
When  Abraham's  fons,  from  earth's  remoteft  end, 
To  Salem's  heaven-topp'd  mountains  {hall  afcend  ; 
When  round  the  poles,  where  frozen  fplendors  play, 
In  noontide  realms,  that  bafit  in  brighter  day,  Si© 

On  fpicy  mores,  where  beauteous  morning  reigns, 
Or  Evening  lingers  o'er  her  favourite  plains, 
From  guilt,  from  death,  reviving  nations  rife, 
And  one  vaft  hymn  of  sranfport  fills  the  fkies, 


a36  BOOK     IX. 

Beyond  thefe  fcenes*  (hall  nobler  wonders  ftintf,         |jg 

Climes  of  fweet  pe*ce,  and  years  of  joy  divine* 

Where  truth's  fair  fons  extend  the  golden  wing 

Thro'  morn  e'er-riling,  ever  changing  fpring  ; 

Where  unborn  Beauty,  round  whofe  awful  throne. 

All  fplendors  fade*  and  iun>  are  dark  at  noon,  82% 

Smiles  o'er  broad  regions  ever-brightening  day. 

Fair  nature  quickening  in  th'  ecflatic  ray  : 

The  foul,  pure  effluence  of  th'  all-beaming  Mind, 

With  virtue  diadem'd,  with  truth  refin'd, 

With  blifs  fupreme,  with  radiance  yet  unknown*         Sjj 

Begins,  a  liar,  and  brightens  to  a  fun  ; 

Life,  Love,  and  Rapture,  bloflbm  in  her  fight, 

And  Glory  triumphs  o'er  the  world  of  light* 


T       H       E 


CONQUEST    of     CANAAN,* 


I    O    O    K       X; 


Argument. 

Vifion  of  futurity.  Profpe8  of  the  land  of  Canaan;  Prof* 
perous  events  after  the  voar  is  finijhed.  Apoftacy  often 
the  death  of  Jojhua,  and  confequent  judgements.  Troubltt 
by  Cujban-rijkatbaim,  Hazor,  Midian,  Amman,  and  (hi 
Fbiliftints.  Sam/on.  Civil  War.  Philiftmcsf  Kings. 
David's  combat  vuitb  Goliath.  War  <witb  Amnion,  and 
Syria,  Joab.  David's  glory.  Jerujalem.  Temple. 
Dedication.  Solomon.  Divifeon  of  the  kingdom.  Dt- 
fruition  of  Ifrael  by  Shalmant yer ,  and of Judah  by  Ne~ 
kuchadne%zar .  Kef  oration.  Mejfiab.  his  Birth  Bop* 
tifm,  Miracles,  Trial,  Death,  RefurreBion,  and  Afcenfi* 
*«.  DeftruSion  of  Jerujalem  by  the  Romans.  Preacb~ 
ing  of  the  Go/pel  by  the  Apoftles,  and  Jucceeding  Minif 
ten.  Pro/peel  of  America.  Slavery  of  the  eaftern  Con- 
tinent. Glory  cf  the  IV (ft em  Millennium.  Calling  of 
the  Jews.  Signs  which  forebode  the  end  of  the  World. 
HefurreSion,  Conflagration,  General  Judgement,  and 
tonj'ummaiion  of  all  things.  Profpecl  of  heaven,  and  a 
happy  immortality*  Angel  departs,  and  Jojhua  return* 
U  tbt  camp. 


The    CONQUEST    of    CANAAN, 
BOOK      X. 


THE  Vifion  eifcs'd.    At  once  the  foreS  fled. 
At  once  an  unknown  region  round  them  fprea<& 
Like  the  ftill  fabbath's  dawning  light  ferene. 
And  fair  at  blifsful  Eden's  living  green. 
High  on  a  hill  they  flood*  whofe  cloudy  brow  £ 

Look'd  o'er  th*  illimitable  world  below. 
In  mining  verdure  eaftem  realms  withdrew, 
And  hills  and  plains,  immingling,  fill'd  the  views 
From  fouthern  forefb  rofe  meIod;&us  founds  ; 
Tall  northern  mountains  ftretch'd  cerulean  bounds  §     & 
"Weft,  all  was  fea;  blue  flties,  with  peaceful  reign. 
Serene  roll'd  round  th'  interminable  plain. 
Then  thus  the  Power.  To  thee,  blefs'd  man,  'tis  given, 
To  know  the  thoughts  of  all-confidering  Heaven  ; 
Scenes  form'd  eternal  in  th*  unraeafur'd  Mind,  if 

In  yon  bright  realms,  for  Abraham's  race  defign'dj 
While  the  great  promife  (lands  in  heaven  fecure, 
Or  earth,  or  feas,  or  fete*  w  fttrs  endure. 


24o  B    C    0    K     X. 

He  fpoke.     At  once  a  fpacious  land  is  feeft, 
Bright  with  young  cornfields,  and  with  paftures  green  J  2* 
Fair  fhine  the  rivers ;  fair  the  plains  extend  ; 
The  tall  woods  wave,  and  towering  hills  afcend  ; 
Ten  thoufand  thoufand  flooks  around  them  fprcad, 
Sport  o'er  the  lawns,  and  crop  the  verdant  blade  ; 
Blefs'd  fwains  with  muftc  charm  their  afeful  toil,  2$ 

The  cheerful  plowmen  turn  the  fable  foil  ; 
The  vine,  glad  •fTspring  of  the  fun,  afpires, 
And  fmiles,  and  purples,  in  th'  indulgent  fires ; 
The  vales,  with  humble  pride,  gay  coats  adorn. 
And  pleafure   dances  in  the  beams  of  morn  ;  3# 

Spring,  hand  in  hand  with  golden  Autumn  join'd 
Lives  in  the  flowers,  and  wantons  in  the  wind. 

Then  fpacious  towns  exalt  their  (lately  fpires. 
Bend  their  long  walls,1  and  light  unnumber'd  fires  ; 
Here  all  the  pomp  of  haughty  ftru&ures  mines,  35 

Youth  crowds  the  dance,  and  Age  in  council  joins  ; 
There*  built  by  virtue,  fmoking  altars  rife, 
And  clouds  of  incenfe  fill  the  morning  fkies. 
When  thus  the  Hero— Say,  O  Power  divine  ! 
What  bright  and  happy  fcenes  before  me  fhine,  49 

Tell,  if  thofe  regions  Ifrael's  blifs  difplay, 
And  flocks,  and  fields,  and  cities  own  their  fivay. 

Juftare  thy  thoughts— the  Seraph's  .'oice  return'd* 
While  rofy  beauty  round  his  afpec!  burn'd. 
In  thefe  fair  climes  (hail  Jfrael  fix  her  feat,  45 

End  her  long  toils,  and  find  a  calm  retreat. 
Then  all  the  bleffings,  mortals  here  can  kno^f* 
From  God's  good  hand,  in  plenteous  dreams,  (hall  Row/ 
In  pureft  beams  (hall  genial  funs  cefcend  ;        \ 
And  moon*;,  and  (tars,  their  fofteft  radiance  lend  :         5* 
The  gales  waft  health;  |:inu  lio^ers  the  plains  renew  ; 
Morn  yield  her  fragrance  ;  eve  her  balmy  dew  ; 
With  autumn's  prime  the  wintery  froft  confpirc; 
With  fprinjgs  mild  influence  fuinmer's  fcorching  fire ; 


fc    O    0    K       ft  S4f 

To  nurfe  the  land  of  virtue's  lov'd  recefa,  5  5 

And  blefs  the  nation,  Heaven  delights  to  blefs. 

Thefe  fcenes  of  blifsful  peace  (halt  thou  enjoy, 
Nor  grief  difturbs,  nor  circling  foes  annoy. 
But  when  death  calls  thee  to  divine  abodes, 
They  fly  from  Heaven,  andfeek  Canaan's  gods ;  60 

To  Mocks,  to  {tones,  with  ffcupid  reverence,  bow, 
Burft  every  tie,  and  perjure  every  vow. 
Then  warlhall  thunder  from  the  realms  around  ; 
Then  funs  malignant  parch  the  flerile  ground  ; 
The  fields  mail  waite ;  the  flocks  to  dull  decay,  65 

And  fierce  difeafes  fweep  their  tribes  away. 
Yet  fhall  his  bounty  fainted  guardians  raife, 
And  Hied  rich  blefiings  on  their  peaceful  days; 
WakM  to  new  life,  the  land  forget  to  mourn, 
And  fruitful  feafons  to  the  plains  return.  70 

Behold  thefe  fcenes  expanding  to  thy  foul  ! 
From  orient  realms  what  blackening  armies  roll ! 
See  their  proud  Monarch,  in  yon  glimmering  car, 
Iieads  his  ftrong  hoft*  and  points  the  wafle  of  war. 
Till,  rais'd  by  Heaven,  the  youth,  whofe  early  bloom,  75 
Gives  a  fair  promife  of  hid  worth  to  come, 
That  fecond  Irad,  Othniel,  lifts  his  hand, 
And  fweeps  the  heathens  from  his  wafted  land. 

In  awful  pomp,  fee  Hazor's  bands  arife, 
Shade  the  far  plains,  and  lower  along  the  fkies !  So 

An  unborn  Jabin  fways  thofe  fpacious  fhores, 
And  on  thefe  climes  that  raging  deluge  pours. 
The  little  band,  thou  feeft  thy  nation  fends; 
Lo,  how  the  hoft  innumerable  bends ! 
Before  Jehovah's  wrath  the  millions  fly,  8£ 

Drop  their  weak  arms,  and  lift  a  leiTening  cry. 

Behold,  in  fouthern  fkies,  what  clouds  appear  ! 
There  Midian's  fons  the  bloody  flandard  rear : 

Line  71)  Seejudg.  3.  Ch.     L.  79)  Jud.  4,    L.  87)  Jud.  7* 
X  i 


*4*  BOOK        Jfl 

Before  them,  Ruin  marks  her  ravag'd  way  ; 

Fire  i  weeps  the  plains,  and  fmoke  involves  the  day!       f)C 

Behold  yon  Angel,  rapt  on  wings  of  light, 

JFlanies,  like  a  meteor,  down  the  face  of  night ! 

His  fearful  hand  accelerates  their  doom, 

And  ihevr  own  weapons  plunge  them  to  the  tomb. 

Beyond  fair  Jordan,  that  b/bad, azure  dream,  9^ 

"What  moony  mields,  what  throngs  of  lances,  gleam  ! 
In  long,  dark  lines,  fee  Jephthah's  fpreading  hod 
Benight  the  heavens,  and  dufkthe  ihady  coaft  ! 
IjO,  wing.'d  with  fear-,  the  ranks  of  Ammon  yield, 
Mount  their  bright  cars,  and  fly  the  fanguine  field  !     10c 

From  thofe  dread  fcenes,  now  fouthward  turn  thine  eyes; 
Behold,  what  clouds  of  Philillines  arife  ! 
Ordain'd  the  terror  of  Canaan's  climes,' 
The  ding  of  guilt,  the  fcourge  of  daring  crimes; 
Illum'd  with  fpears,  the  gloomy  fquadrons  roll,  105 

])ud  (hades  their  path,  and  darknefs  hides  the  pole. 

See  Gaza's  thoufands,  rang'd  in  black  array, 
Spread  their  wide  volumes  on  the  letting  day  ! 
Behold  brave  Samfon  fweep  the  dreadful  plain  ! 
Their  falchions  flame,  their  fpears  are  hurl'd,  in  vain  ; 
Swift  from  his  fateful  arm  their  fquadrons  fly,  1 1 J 

-And  fhields  behiud  them  glimmer  on  the  fky. 

Now,  where  yon  haughty  pile  in  pomp  afcends, 
Hi3  drong-wrought  nerves  the  eyelefs  hero  bends  ; 
The  columns  (Lake    the  clcudy  temple  falls,  I  I  j 

And  dudy  ruin  veils  the  fmoking  walls. 

Sec,  where  proud  Gibeah's  turret?  ilrikc  the  fkicr, 
On  every  ft.lt-  embattled  armies  rife  ! 
There  Civil  Difcord  calls  her  fons  to  war. 
And  waves  her  banner  1  trough  the  troubled  air  ;  1  :.• 

Againd  one  iribc  the  fwords  of  ail  unite, 
Dedru&ion  hovering  o'er  rhc  crimfon  fight. 

Line  95)  Jud.  j£i<    L.  j  ^ : "  1.   107V Jud» 

L.  117}  Jc.d.  20. 


BOOK      X.  m 

See,  like  a  florra,  the  Pbiliftines  again 
Roll  o'er  yon  hills,  and  crowd  the  darkening  pkin  ! 
Lo  Ifrael  (lees  I  the  haughty  heathens  dare,  125 

Pollute  the  ark  ;   nor  know  th'  Almighty  's  there. 
The  faered  Prophet  lifts  his  fuppliant  hands, 
And  calls  down  vengeance  on  the  impious  bands  ; 
Aghaft  they  hear  tremendous  thunders  rife, 
And  from  the  lightenings  turn  their  trembling  eyes  ;    1  ^o 
The  fields  are  redden'd  with  a  fanguine  die, 
The  vanquifh'd  triumph,  and  the  victors  fiv. 

Thus  fcenes  cf  varied  life  thy  nation  prove, 
Reftrain  their  crimes,  and  r<x  their  wandering  love. 
At  length,  impatient  of  their  Maker's  hand,  l^K 

Their  tribes,  with  union'd  voice  ;   a  king  demand. 
Firft  chofen  to  the  throve,  ef  truth  forlorn, 
Blafting  the  promife  of  his  opening  morn, 
Saul,  impious  tyrant,  holds  the  far. red  fwav, 
And  Ifrael's  haplefs  -fons  his  rod  obey.  J£q 

But  now  the  fcenes  a  longer  view  demand  ; 
Behold  what  wonders-to  thine  eyes  expand  ! 

The  hero  gaz'd  ;    at  once  two  mountains  rofe, 
O'erfpread  by  fquadrons  of  embattled  foes. 
Proud,  from  the  fouthern  hill  a  giant  ftrode,  145 

Dar'd  his  pale  foes,  and  brav'd  the  arm  ofGoD, 
Vaft  were  his  limbs,  for  war  and  ruin  made  ; 
His  towering  ftature  cart  a  long,  dark  ibade  ; 
His  eye  glar'd  fury,  and  his  buckler's  gleam, 
Flam'd,  like  a  cloud  before  the  letting  beam.  15Q 

A  youth,  in  nature's  prime,  oppos'd  his  arm, 
To  the  dire  threatenings  of  the  lowering  ftorm  ; 
Soft  round  his  afpecl  rofy  beauty  fmil'd, 
Bold  but  not  raih,  and  without  terror  mild. 
By  his  ftrong  hand,  like  rapid  lightening,  fiung,  1  j^ 

Ftffl  on  the  giant's  front  a  pebble  fung  ; 

iine  123)  1  Sarn,,  7.    L,  143)  1  Sam.  1.7, 


*4*  B    O    O    K      X. 

Like  fome  tall  oak,  the  mighty  warrior  fell, 
And  with  fhrill  thunders  rang  his  clafhing  fteel. 
At  once  the  heathens  fled  ;  their  foes  puriued, 
Andboundlefs  death  the  crimfon  fields  heftrew'd.  160, 

Then  thus  the  Guide---Here  David's  fkilful  hand, 
Sinks  vaft  Goliath  in  the  bloody  fand. 
Call'd,  from  the  peace  of  fylvan  fhades  unknown, 
To  rule  *n  empire,  and  to  mount  a  throne, 
This  beauteous  youth  mall  flretcn  a  profperoui  fway,     i6j 
And  bid  rude  realms,  andconquei'd  kings,  obey  ; 
Where  fertile  mores  the  proud  Euphrates  laves, 
Where  >on  broad  ocean  rolls  its  lucid  waves, 
Beyond  the  limits  of  the  Syrian  reign, 
Qr  where  far  fouthward  fpreads  the  crimfon  main.        1 73 

Behold,  ir.  dreadful  pomp,  from  northern  ikies, 
What  gloomy  clouds,  what  thronging  fquadrons  rifei 
Kings  in  the  flaming  van  exalt  their  forms, 
Borne  in  fwift  cars,  and  wrapp'd  in  dazzling  arms ; 
Here  Amnion's  fons  unnumber'd  crowd  the  fields;      17- 
There  Syria's  millions  wave  their  glimmering  ihieids. 

See  Ifrael  moves  in  glory  to  the  fight ! 
See  Joab,  circled  with  a  blaze  of  light ! 
His  lofty  port,  his  firm,  undaunted  eye, 
Shoot  tenor  round,  and  bid  ihe  millions  fly.  180 

Again  what  crowds  the  diilant  piains  invade  ! 
How  tne  world  darkens  in  the  fable  lhaue  ! 
Aioft  in  air  the  dancing  banners  fly, 
And  throngs  of  lances  tremble  in  the  fky. 
High  in  the  front  m  ijcltic  David  ilanj.%  1 85 

Leads  on  the  conqueft,  and  the  fight  commands, 
Bids  deaih  btfere  him  fweep  the  dreadful  plain, 
And  rolls  his  chariot  o'er  th  urmumbtf'd  ilain. 

Nor  lefs  fhall  peace  adorn  his  righteous  lway  ; 
The  proud  fiiall  tremble,  and  the  rich  obey  ;  150 

With  equal  hand,  great  Jultice  hold  the  kale  ; 
In  every  council  Wiidom's  voice  prevail ; 
Line  171)9  5a.n.  to. 


B    O    O    K       X.  =l> 

The  fields  grow  fat,  beneath  the  culturing  hand, 

And  fmiling  plenty  wanton  round  the  land. 

Then  fpacious  towns,  with  wealth  and  pomp  fupplied,  195 

Shall  bend  long  walls  and  sift  their  fpiry  pride  ; 

O'er  all  imperial  Salem's  fplendors  rife, 

The  boaft  of  earth,  and  emblem  of  the  ikies, 

Hefpoke  :  tall  mountains  rear  their  fummits  high, 
Crown'd  with  fair  fpires,  that  vanifh  in  the  fky  ;  200 

Upheave  huge  walls  :  imperial  arches  bend, 
And  golden  turrets  to  the  clouds  afcend. 
So,  when  dun  night  begins  in  heaven  to  rife, 
A  long,  dark  cloud  furrounds  the  northern  Ikies ; 
Forth  from  its  fpacious  womb  effulgent  ftream  205 

Tall  fpires  of  glory,  columns  bright  of  flame  ; 
There  mine  gay  walls  illumin'd  towers  afcend, 
Wave  round  th'  irnmenfe,  and  o'er  the  concave  bend  ; 
Expanding,  reddening,  the  proud  pomp  afpires, 
And  ftars  fainutremble  through  the  wonderous  fires.    2 1« 
Thus  wide,  thus  bright,  the  fplendid  fcene  expands, 
Rich  with  thetreafures  of  furrounding  lands; 
The  long  itreets  wind  ;  the  lofty  domes  afcend  ; 
Fair  gardens  bloom,  and  cryftal  fountains  bend  ; 
Prom  flowery  millions  rich  perfumes  arife,  215 

Load  the  fwcet  gales,  and  breathe  upon  the  fkies. 

There,  crown'd  with  towers,  and  wrapp'd  in  golden 
A  burning  dome  the  wondering  Chief  defcried,       [pride* 
On  eaftern  hills  its  front  aerial  flood, 
Look'd  o'er  the  walls,  and  diftant  regions  viewM  ;      220 
There  ^low'd  the  beauty  of  the  artifts'  minds; 
There  gates,  ther.e  fpires,  there  columns,  he  deiignM  ; 
"inhere,  with  ftrong  IJgfct,  etherial  wifdom  fhone, 
There  blended  glories  rnock'd  the  noonday  fun, 
A  bright,  celeftial  grandeur  towers  difplay'd;  225 

And  verdant  courts,  expanfive,  round  them  fpread. 

L:nezi7)  See  2  Chron.  6.  7. 


246  BOO    K      X. 

There  called  from  circling  realms,  agladfome  train, 

In  gayeft  robes,  unnumbcr'd,  hid  the  plain. 

Soft  rofe  their  fongs  ;   the  harp's  bewildering  found, 

Breath'd  mild  inchantment  through  the  domes  around, 

On  fhining  altars  gifts  of  virtue  lav,  231 

Jlich  incenfe  fum'd,  and  fmoke  embrown'd  the  day. 

High  o'er  the  reft,  a  prince  majeftic  flood, 

And  robes  of  fplendor  loofcly  round  him  How'd  ; 

Spread  were  his  hands  ;  his  face,  to  earth  declin'd,     23  J 

Spoke  the  calm  raptures  of  a  pious  mind  ; 

His  voice,  on  balmy  winds,  like  incenfe,  driven, 

Rofe,  fweetly  fragrant,  to  approving  heaven  : 

At  once,  as  earthquakes,  rumbling,  rock  the  ground, 

Slow  roll'd  a  long,  deep  roar  the  dome  around  ;  24a 

O'er  the  tall  towers  a  cloud  convolving  fpread, 

BedimmM  the  fines,  and  wrapp'd  the  world  in  fnade  ; 

Fierce  from  its  womb  terrific  lightenings  came, 

The  gifts  exhaling  in  the  rapid  flame  ; 

The  train  fell  prollracc  ;  fhook  the  bright  abode,  245 

And  trembling  earth  confefs'd  the  prefent  God. 

Then  thus  the  Guide—This  prince,  to  David  born, 
With  folemn  pomp  (hall  Salem's  towers  adorn  ; 
To  God's  great  name,  this  glorious  pile  (hall  raife, 
Fair  tvpe  of  Heaven,  and  feat  of  Killing  praife.  25Q 

In  hisblefs'd  reign,  flia.ll  peace  extend  her  iway  ; 
The  poor  dwell  fately  ,  and  the  proud  obey  ; 
Ifrael,  fecure,  in  happy  fields  recline, 
Pluck  their  own  figs,  and  tafte  their  plenteous  wine ; 
The  fwain  fole  monarch  of  his  lands  llia.ll  reign,  25$ 

And  own  the  products  of  the  qrateful  plain. 
On  fame's  light  wings,  his  glory  fliall  be  borne. 
Where  fmiles  fair  eve,  or  blooms  etherial  morn; 
IVom  diltant regions  kings  enraptur'd  throng. 
Drink  facrei  truth,  and  catch  the  heavenly  long  :        260 
To  him,  her  boundlefs  wealth  (hall  Egypt  yield  ; 
To  him,  Sabca  ope  the  fpicy  field  ; 


B    O    O    K      X.  247 

In  morn's  fair  iflands,  fweets  celeftial  blow  ; 
Wide  ocean's  realms  with  pearly  fplendors  glow  ; 
The  loom  its  purple,  earth  its  gems,  untold,  26^ 

And  teeming  fulphur  kindle  into  gold. 

Long  iliali  bright  wifdom  gild  his  profperous  day, 
Till  magic  beauty  charm  his  heart  ailray  ; 
Wifdom,  beyond  the  narrow  thoughts  of  man, 
In  clouds  involv'd,  and  bounded  by  afpan  ;  270 

Wifdom,  that  nature's  myfceries  fliall  controuU 
And  rule  the  nobler  kingdom  of  the  foul. 

At  length,  when  death  his  fpirit  (hall  demand, 
Two  guilty  kings  mail  fwav  Canaan's  land, 
Both  to  the  fatal  love  of  idols  given,  275 

And  both  rejected  by  an  angry  Heaven: 
While  their  mad  kingdoms  oft  in  fight  contend, 
And  flames  lay  Wafte  their  fields,  and  wars  their  cities  rend. 

Then  mall  ch'  Eternal's  awful  vengeance  rife> 
His  wheels  defcend,  his  chariot  (hake  the  ikies  z$6 

Before  his  breath  the  fon's  of  Ifrael  fly, 
Like  chaff  when  whirlwinds  fweep  th'  autumnal  fky, 
To  realms,  whofe  beauty  endlefs  frofts  deform, 
To  heavens  that  thunder  with  eternal  ftorm  : 
Where  o'er  yon  fiery  cliffs,  that  bound  the  ikies,  28$ 

Dejected  funs  with  feeble  influence  rife, 

At  diitance  hovering  round  the  unblefs'd  fhore, 

Where  glimmering  ice  forbids  the  waves  to  roar. 
Yet  itill,  while  Judah  owns  his  awful  fway, 

And  pious  kings  their  facred  homage  pay,  290 

Safe  in  the  covert  of  his  guardian  hand, 

Shall  happy  fubjecls  fhare  a  peaceful  land  ; 

Till  rous'd  to  wrath  by  infolence  of  crimes, 

He  rolls  desp  horror  o'er  Canaan's  climes. 

On  that  dread  morn,  (frail  Salem  hear  from  far        295 

The  trump's  fhrill  clamour,  and  the  founding  car  ; 

Holts  train'd  to  blood  her  mining  feats  furround, 

And  all  her  glories  totter  to  the  ground. 


24*  B     O     6    C       X. 

Adieu  !  adieu  !  thou  darling  of  the  fkies ; 

Thy  towers  begin  to  (hake  ;  thy  flames  begin  to  rife.  30© 
Where  once  the  palace  raptur'd  eyes  defcried, 

And  the  tail  temple  rear'd  its  fplendid  pride, 

Kound  mouldering  walls  the  nightly  wolf  fh all  howl ; 

Sad  ruins  murmur  to  the  wailing  owl  ; 

Jn  domes,  once  golden,  creeping  mofs  be  found  ;  305 

The  long,  rank  weed  o'erfpread  the  garden's  bound  3 

The  wild  Idumean  call  a  mournful  eye 

On  the  brown  towers,  and  pafs  in  filence  by. 
Nor  let  deep  forrow  pain  thy  pitying  eyes  ; 

ho  fairer  fcenes  in  quick  fucceffton  rife  !  3 10 

Soon  fhall  the  temple  crown  the  facred  hill, 

Bright  domes  afcend,  and  fields  around  them  fmile  ; 

Thy  nation  gather  ;  great  Meffiah  mine, 

And  earth  be  honour'd  with  a  King  divine. 

From  Edom's  realms,  what  mighty  form  afcends  !    315 

How  the  vale  blofibms  !  how  the  mountain  bends  ! 

How  fhine  his  limbs,  in  heaven's  immortal  pride  ! 
How  beams  his  veiture,  in  rhe  rainbow  died  ! 

'Tis  he  !   'tis  he  !  who  faves  a  world  undone  ; 

The  Prince  ofglory  !  God's  eternal  Son  !  320 

O'er  confeious  hills  he  wins  his  beauteous  way  ; 

The  plains  are  tranfport,  and  all  nature  gay. 

O  ions  of  men  !— -th'  indulgent  Saviour  cries— 
My  raptur'd  voice  invites  you  to  the  Ikies. 
No  more  to  Jacob's  narrow  race  cominM,  32$ 

A  bills  unmcalur'd  flows  for  all  mankind  ; 
The  life,  the  youth,  of  climes  forever  blefs'd  ; 
Increasing  plory,  and  feraphic  relt. 

Say,  what  the  gain  in  pleasure's  paths  to  ftray, 
Where  poiibh  bloffoms,  and  where  fcrpents  play.  330 

Ambiii(  n's  lofty  fteep  with  pain  to  climb, 
Where  guilt,  and  anguilh,  (Well  with  every  crime  ; 

Line  jij}   iUiah  63. 


B    O    O    K      X.  H$ 

To  wafte,  in  weary  toils,  man's  little  doom, 
For  treafures,  ravim'd  by  the  neighbouring  tomb. 
Should  earths  broad  realms  beneath  your  fceptre  roll, 
Can  worlds  exchang'd  redeem  the  deathlefs  foul  ?       336 
Rife  then,  oh  rife,  from  fin's  oblivious  deep  ! 
Lo,  wide  beneath  you  gapes  th'  unfathom'd  deep  ! 
Explore,  with  me,  the  undeceiving  road, 
That  blooms  with  virtue,  end  that  leads  to  God.  34© 

What  though  dire  pain,  and  grief,  and  fad  difmay, 
And  all  earth's  fury  hedge  the  arduous  way  ; 
Thofe  griefs^  thofe  pains,  my  feet  before  you  brave, 
The  world's  fell  hatred,  and  the  gloomy  grave  1 
I  feel  fuperior  wifdom's  peace  refin*d,  345 

And  the  fair  morning  of  a  guiltlefs  mind  ; 
The  toils  of  faith,  rewarding  as  they  rife  ; 
Befriending  feraphs,  and  complacent  Skies. 

And  O  the  end  !   the  bright,  immortal  end  ! 
Heaven's  gates  unbar,  and  angel  hofts  attend.  35© 

Each  hour  more  fweet,  for  you  her  rivers  roll  ; 
A  &y,  ftill  brightening,  arches  round  her  pole  ; 
fair,  and  mere  fair,  her  funny  manfions  glow  5 
Pure,  and  more  pure,  her  airs  etherial  blow  ; 
Her  hoft,  in  growing  youth,  ferenely  fhines  j  355 

Her  glory  quickens,  and  her  world  refines. 
In  that  fair  world,  to  e'er-beginning  joy, 
Each  hour  increafmg,  tingM  with  no  alloy, 
Reft  from  each  toil,  relief  from  every  care, 
Conqueft  of  death,  and  triumph  o'er  defpair,  360 

To  your  own  peers,  your  lafting  heme,  afcend, 
To  bliiV  fair  fountain,  virtue's  faithful  friend, 
Thofe  peers  heaven's  fons,  that  home  the  bright  abode, 
That  fount  an  ocetn,  and  that  friend  a  God. 
To  fhefe  fair  realms  to  lift  the  contrite  mind,  36c 

To  give  blefs'd  faith,  and  purchafe  peace  refin'd, 
To  man's  loft  foul  the  (lamp  of  heaven  recall, 
And  build  again  the  ruins  of  the  fall, 
K  k 


1*4  BOOK      X> 

From  God's  high  throne  he  comes  to  every  woe, 
The  world  his  dungeon,  and  mankind  his  foe,  37$ 

Heaven's  wrath  for  thanklefs  wretches  dares  afTume, 
Afcends  the  crofs,  and  tries  the  darkfome  tomb. 
Lo  thefe  dread  fcenes  expanding  to  thine  eye  ! 
Behold  yon  cloudy  pomp  invert  the  fky  ! 
What  hoits  of  angels  wave  their  flamy  wings  !  37- 

The  world  is  liient---hark,  what  mulic  rings  !--- 
All  hail,  ye  happy  fuains  !  this  facred  morn, 
Of  David's  race,  the  promis'd  Saviour's  born  ; 
In  Bethlehem's  inn,  behold  the  parent  maid, 
Her  heavenly  offspring  in  a  manger  laid  !  380 

Se?,  lee,  in  yon  blue  track,  his  ftar  afcend  ! 
Adore  ye  angels  !  heaven  in  homage  bend  ! 
Fiom  earth  one  cloud  of  mingling  incenfe  rife  ! 
Peace  to  the  world,  and  glory  to  the  (kies ! 

Before  the  harbinger  behold  him  (land,  385 

#nd  take  the'facred  fprinkling  from  his  hand  ; 
On  wings  of  flame  the  etherial  dove  defcend, 
And  the  glad  :.  tin  with  reverent  homage  bend  ! 
Tar  round  th'  immenfe  approving  thunders  roll,  389 

And  God's  own  fon  belov'd  refounds  frcm  pole  to  pole. 

See,  at  his  touch,  the  fainting  form  rrfpi.es ; 
The  pale-eyed  leper  glows  with  purple  fires  ; 
Light  as  the  hart,  th'  exulting  cripple  fpriu 
And  the  dumb'fuppliant  new-born  praifes  fmgs  ; 
Unufual  founds  the  cleaving  ear  furprife,  395 

And  light,  and  profpecV,  charm  expanding  eves  ; 
The  dungeon  burfts  ;  the  prifOner  leaps  to  day, 
And  life  recall 'd  reanimates  the  clay  ! 

At  his  commands,  uhar  throngs  of  demons  rice, 
To  yon  fir  gul£  that  blackens  o'er  the  Tea  ! 
Lo,  in  the  fkirt  of  yonder  fading  Itorm, 
Obfcurely  failing,  many  a  dreadful  form  ! 

---    LukC  2.     I    3S5)  Mat.  3. 


B    0   O    K       X. 


254 


From  its  deep  womb,  what  fallen  murmurs  rife  ! 
Arid  what  pale  lightenings  feebly  fweep  the  fkies  1 

But  O  !  what  love  the  harden'd  foul  can  gain  \         405 
Fair  truth  compels,  Meffiah  charms,  in  vain. 
Untaught,  unmov'd,  by  hate  and  fury  driven. 
His  nation  rife  againil  the  heir  of  heaven, 
Before  a  heathen's  bar  tumultuous  hale  ; 
Nor  worth  can  move,  nor  innocence  avail.  4 ;  o 

Behold  the  milder  glories  round  him  fhine  ! 
"What  peace  ferene  !   what  conftancy  divine  ! 
How  filently  fublime  !  how  meekly  great ! 
Kow  virtue's  fplendor  (hades  the  glare  of  ftate  ! 

By  friends  denied,  by  poor  vile  worms  contemn'd,    41  5 
Judg'd  without  law,  and  without  guilt  condemn'd, 
While  men,  while  demons,  in  fond  triumph  rife, 
The  Prince  of  life,  the  Lordof  angels,  dies. 
At  once  dire  earthquakes  heave  the  fnuddering  ground, 
Rend  the  hard  rocks  ;  the  mountains  quake  around  ;    429.. 
Far  o'er  the  world  blank  midnight  cafh  her  made, 
And  trembling  rife  the  nations  of  the  dead  : 
Pain'd,  from  the  fcene  the  confcious  fun  retires, 
And  nature's  voice  proclaims-  — A  God  expires. 

But  not  the  earth  his  facred  form  confines ;  425  * 

The  bands  diffolve  ;   the  grave  its  truft  refigns  • 
His  fair,  transforming  limbs  new  life  infpires  ; 
Heaven's  youth  informs,  and  Godlike  beauty  fires ; 
From  the  dark  tomb  he  wings  his  lucid  way, 
Afcends  the  fky,  and  glads  theclimes  of  day.   j  430 

As  thy  bold  arm,  to  Ifrael's  chofen  band, 
Thy  foesextinguilh'd,  gives  the  promis'd  land  ; 
Call'd  by  thy  name,  (hall  he  to  realms  of  gloom 
Drive  vanquiJh'd  Death,  and  triumph  o'er  the  tomb, 
To  that  blefs'd  land,  the  true  Caniian,  rife,  435 

And  guide  his  chofen  children  to  the  fkies. 

Then  o'er  his  foes  (hall  fearful  vengeance  break  ; 
Heaven  fhine  in  arms  ;  earth's  iiftening  regions  quake  ; 


*5?  BOOK      X; 

The  fond,  vain  triumph  unknown  woes  deftroy, 

And  clouds  of  ruin  blaft  the  transient  joy.  44$ 

Behold,  in  wcftern  £kie?,  the  ftorm  afcend, 
Its  terrors  blacken,  and  its  flames  extend  ! 
There  hide  the  whirlwinds,  foon  ordain'd  to  roll  ; 
There  fleep  fierce  thunders,  foon  tQTOck  the  pole. 
But  firft  dread  figm  the  guilty  wona  alarm  ;  445 

A  fan  equine  horror  fhades  the  fun's  bright  form  ; 
In  fields  of  air,  unreal  hofls  contend  ; 
Shrill  arms  refound,  and  cars  the  concave  rend: 
From  hell's  black  fhores  the  Peililence  afpires, 
Roams  the  wide  earth,  and  breathes  her  baleful  fires  :  45* 
"Whole  regions  wither  in  her  fickening  flight, 
And  holts,  and  nations,  perifh  in  a  night  : 
Far  round  the  (huddering  iky  pale  meteors  glare. 
And  raging  Difcord  founds  the  trump  of  war.      v 

Then  countlefs  millions  feize  the  bloody  fhield,         45  g 
And  Death's  black  enfign  glooms  the  fading  field. 
Lo,  Zion's  domes  what  grimly  hofts  inclofe  ! 
See  fun^bright  eagles  lead  her  gathering  foes  ! 
Jiigh  a'er  her  walls,  what  threatening  engines  rife  ! 
And  hark,  what  clamours  murmuring  mount  the  fkies ; 
With  clouds,  purfuing  clouds,  the  terrors  grow  ;  4.6 \ 

More  fierce  the  blaze,  more  daik  th'  invading  woe. 
But  why  fhoulddifmal  fcenes  diftrefs  thy  fight, 
Or  grief  unnerve  thee  for  th'  impending  fight  ? 

Meantime,  from  land  to  land  with  f peed  convey 'd,  465 
Meiliah's  fons  his  truth  and  blellings  fpread. 
On  countlefs  realms,  to  guilt  and  darknefs  given, 
Aliens  from  life,  and  reprobate  of  Heaven, 
The  facred  Spirit  fheds  his  healing  power, 
And  fkies  indulgent  heavenly  bounty  fhower,  4^0 

Xow  at  his  name  the  raptur'd  nations  bend  ; 
By  him  pcrfum'd,  unnumbcr'd  prayer*  afcend  ; 

Line  441)  Mat.   14.     J~4<0  Taking  of  Jcrufalrm  hy  the  Roman;* 
L,  46 j)    Pitaf.hing  of4thc  Gcfpcl  b>  the  /.ppllk$.  te't. 


B     O     O    K      X.  253 

To  heaven  his  name  from  earth's  great  houmold  flies, 
And  one  vaft  cloud  of  incenfe  cheers  the  fkies. 

From  Salem's  favour'd  hills,  the  blifs  mall  firay,     475 
Glad  every  land,  and  Itretch  to  every  fea  ; 
But  chief  far  onward  fpeed  its  weitern  flight, 
And  blefs  the  regions  of  defcending  light, 

Far  o'er  yon  azure  main  thy  view  extend, 
Where  feas,  and  Ikies,  in  blue  confufion  blend,  48a 

Lo,  there  a  mighty  realm,  by  heaven  defign'd 
The  laft  retreat  for  poor,  opprefs'd  mankind  ! 
Form'd  with  that  pomp,  which  marks  the  hand  divine* 

And  clothes  yon  vault,  where  worlds  unnumber'd  mine, 
Here  fpacious  plains  in  folemn  grandeur  fpread  ;  485 

Here  cloudy  forefts  caft  eternal  thade  ; 
Rich  vallies  wind  ;  the  fky  tall  mountains  brave. 

And  inland  feas  for  commerce  fpread  the  wave  ; 

With  nobler  floods,  the  fea- like  rivers  roll, 

And  fairer  lultre  purples  round  the  pole.  49Q 

Here,  warm'd  by  happy  funs,  gay  mines  unfold 

The  ufeful  iron,  and  the  lading  gold  ; 

Pure,  changing  gems  in  filence  learn  to  glow, 

And  mock  the  (plendors  of  the  covenant  bow  : 

On  countlefs  hills,  by  favage  fcctueps  trod,  495 

That  fmile  to  fee  the  future  harveit  nod,     . 

In  glad  fttcceiSon,  plants  unnumber'd  bloom, 

And  flowers  unnumber'd  breathe  a  rich  perfume  ; 

Hence  life  once  more  a  length  of  days  fhall  claim, 

And  health,  reviving,  light  her  purple  flame.  509 

Far  from  all  realms  this  world  imperial  lies  ; 

Seas  roll  between,  and  threatening  florms  arife  ; 

Alike  unmov'd  beyond  Ambition's  pale, 

And  the  bold  pinions  of  the  venturous  fail : 

Till  circling  vears  the  deftin'd  period  bring,  59^ 

£nd  a  new  Mofes  lifts  the  daring  wing, 

Line  479)  Vifwn  of  America. 


254  B    O     O    K        X. 

Through  tracklefs  feas,  an  unknown  flight  explores, 
A:-J  hails  a  new  Canaan's  promis'd  lhores. 

On  yon  far  firand,  behold  that  little  train 
Afcending,  venturous,  o'er  th'  unmeafur'd  main.  51* 

No  dangers  fright ;   no  ills  the  courfe  delay  ; 
*Tis  virtue  prompts,  and  God  direOs  the  way. 
Speed,  fpeed,  ye  Tons  of  truth!  let  Heaven  befriend, 
Let  «ngels  waft  you,  and  let  peace  attend  1 
O/mile  thou  fky  ferene  !   ye  ftorms  retire  !  515 

And  airs  of  Eden  every  fail  infpire  ! 
Swift  o'er  the  main,  behold  the  canvas  fiy, 
-And  fade,  and  rade,  beneath  the  fartheft  fry  ; 
See  verdant  hclds  the  changing  wafte  unfold  ; 
See  fudden  harvefts  diets  the  plains  in  gold  ;  52s 

Jn  lofty  walls  the  moving  rocks  afcend, 
And  dancing  woods  to  fpires  and  temples  bend  ! 

Meantime,  expanding  o'er  earth's  diilant  ends, 
Lo,  Slavery's  gloom  in  fable  pomp  defcends  ; 
far  round  each  eaftern  clime  her  volumes  roll,  525 

And  pour,  deep-mading,  to  the  fadden'd  pole. 
Kow  the  world  droops  beneath  the  fearful  blaft  ; 
The  plains  all  wither'd,  and  the  flcies  o'ercaft  1 
From  realm  to  realm  extends  the  general  groan  ; 
The  fainting  body  ftupifies  to  itone  ;  $3Q 

Bcnumb'd,  and  flx'd,  the -pal  fied  foul  expires, 
Blank'd  all  its  views,  and  quench'd  its  living  fire*  ; 
In  clouds  of  boundlefs  {hade,  the  fcenes  decay  5 
Land  after  tend  depart?,  a/id  nature  fades  away. 

In  that  dread  hour,  beneath  aufpicious  ikies,  553 

To  nobler  blifs  yon  weflern  world  mail  rile. 
X'nlike  all  former  realms,  by  war  that  flood, 
And  faw  the  guilty  throne  afcend  in  blood, 
Here  union'd  Choice  fhall  form  a  rule  divine; 
Here  countlcfs  lands  inone  great  fyllcm  join  ;  C40 

Line.  509]  Settlement  of  North  America ,  by  tl  or  the 

of  Religion.     L.  nc}  Slavery  oft  I  out        ♦ 

L.  535)  rr.'cdom  and  (lory  of  the  NcitJi  American  State** 


BOOK        X\  d'^ 

The  fway  of  Law  unbroke,  unrivall'd  grow, 
And  bid  her  bleffings  every  land  o'er  flow. 

In  fertile  plains,  behold  the  tree  afcend, 
Fair  leaves  unfold,  and  fpreading  branches  bend  ! 
The  fierce,  invading  dorm  fecure  they  brave,  545 

/ind  theftrong  influence  of  the  creeping  wave, 
In  heavenly  gales  with  endlefs  verdure  rife, 
Wave  o'er  broad  fields,  and  fade  in  friendly  fkies.' 
There  fafc  from  driving  rains,  and  battering  hail, 
And  the  keen  furv  of  the  wintry  gale,  5  -q 

Freih  fpring  the  plants  ;  the  flowery  millions  bloom, 
All  ether  gladdening  with  a  choice  perfume  ; 
Their  haftening  pinions  birds  unnnmber'd  fpread, 
And  dance,  and  wr.nton,  in  th'  aerial  (hade.  5  r  j. 

Here  Empire's  lad,  and  blighted  throne  (hall  rife  ; 
/tnd  Peace,  and  Right,  and  Freedom,  greet  the  fkies : 
To  morn's  far  realms  her  mips  commercing  fail, 
Or  lift  their  canvas  to  the  evening  gale  ; 
In  wifdom's  walks,  her  fons  ambitions  foar, 
Tread  iUrry  fields,  and  untried  fcenes  explore.  56a 

And  hark  what  flrange,  what  fclemn-breathing  {train. 
Swells,  wildly  murmuring,  o'er  the  far,  far  main  ! 
Down  time's  long,  leffening  vale,  the  notes  decay, 
And,  loft  in  diftant  ages,  roll  away. 

When  earth  commenc'd,  fix  morns  of  labour  rofe,    565 
Ere  the  calm  Sabbath  med  her  foft  repofe. 
Thus  mall  the  world's  great  week  direct  its  way, 
And  thoufand  circling  funs  complete  the  day. 
Part  were  two  days,  ere  beam' d  the  law  divine  ; 
Two  days  muft  roll,  ere  great  Median  mine  ;  570 

Two  changeful  days,  the  Gofpel's  light  mall  rife; 
Thenfacred  quiet  hum  the  flormy  fkies. 
O'er  orient  -egions  funs  of  toil  (hall  roll, 
Paint  luftre  dawn,  and  clouds  obfeurethe  pole  : 

Lme  $65}  The  Jews  have  an  ancient  tradition  of  this  nature, 


itfi  E    O    O    K      It. 

But  o'er  yon  favourite  world,  the  Sabbath's  mom,       57  J 
Shall  pour  unbounded  dayj  and  with  dear  fpiendor  burn. 

Hence,  o'er  all  lands  (hall  facred  influence  fpread, 
Warm  frozen  climes,  and  cheer  the  death-like  fhade  ; 
To  nature's  bounds,  reviving  Freedom  reign, 
And  Truth,  and  Virtue,  light  the  world  again.  58* 

No  more  in  arms  Hi  all  battling  nations  rife  ; 
Nor  war's  hoarfe  thunders  heave  the  earth  and  fkics ; 
No  hungry  vulture,  from  the  rock's  tall  brow, 
Eye  the  red  field,  and  Slaughtering  hoft,  below  ; 
No  famine  wafte  ;   no  tender  infant  fear  ;  5SJ 

The  meek-eyed  virgin  drop  no  painful  tear  ; 
Soft  to  the  lyre  the  trumpet  fink  refin'd, 
And  peace'  mild  mulic  dill  the  ftormy  mind; 
The  favage,  nvrs'd  in  blood,  with  wondering  eye, 
Sees  all  the  horrors  of  the  defert  fly  :  59Q 

Dread  war,  once  rapturous,  now  his  foul  affrights  ; 
Sweet  peace  allures,  and  angel  love  delights ; 
His  melting  thoughts  with  fofter  paffion  glow  ; 
His  tears  Meal  gently  o'er  the  plaint  of  woe  ; 
To  virtuous  toils  his  feet  inftincYive  turn  ;  5O5 

Or  feek  the  temple  in  the  fmiles  of  morn  ; 
Each  flormy  purpofe  truth's  mild  raysferene, 
-And  fpring  celeftial  clothes  the  wafte  within. 

See,  round  we  lonely  wild,  with  glad  furprife, 
Strange  verdure  blooms,  and  flowery  wonders  rife  !      60% 
Hark  how  the  founds  of  gufhing  waters  roll  ! 
What  newArabias  breathe  upon  the  foul  ! 
On  ruffe  t  plains  returning  Sharon  blows  ; 
Tier  fragrance  charms  ;  her  living  beauty  glows ; 
Each  mounts  Lebanon  in  pomp  tfetndl  ,  t  >- 

-And,  topp'd  with  cloudy  pride,  the  cedar  herds  ; 
To  meads,  to  fports,  with  Ian  if  retires, 

Sooth'd  liis  wild  rage, and  q.iench'J  his  gloomy  fires, 

line  577)   Beginning  of  the  millennium.   Ccs  MVuh  and  Bu 
pri  pheti. 


&   6    O    K      X.  is? 

The  viper  fierce,  the  hifli  ng  afp,  grow  mild, 

Refufe  their  prey,  and  wanton  with  the  child  :  6lO 

New  hymns  the  plumy  tribes  inraptur'd  raife, 

-And  howling  foreits  harmonize  to  praife. 

Shine  foft,  O  fun  1  ye  dies  around  them  fmile  ! 
Your  fhowers  propitious  balmy  heavens  diilil ! 
In  every  wafte  what  cheerful  domes  arife  !  615 

What  golden  temples  meet  the  bending  flues  ; 
lb  yon  bright  world  what  clouds  of  incenfe  roll  ; 
How  Virtue's  fongs  breathe  fvveet  from  pole  t!i  pole  ! 

Through  earth's  wide  realms  let  folemn  filence  flow  ! 
Be  huuYd  thou  main  !  yc  winds  forget  to  blow  !  620 

Jehovah  fpeaks—  -Beneath  the  fartheft  ikies, 
My  trump  mail  found,  my  facred  f?andard  rife  ; 
Prom  morn  to  eve  the  lucid  banner  ihine, 
And  faints,  ecftatic,  hail  th'  illuitrious  fign. 
Wak'd  from  the  (lumbers  of  the  world  unknown,        62$ 
See  raptur'd  Sion  mount  the  Harry  throne, 
Hound  her  fair  gates,  her  thronging  fons  behold, 
Drefs'd  in  white  garments,  and  adorn'd  with  gold! 

Arife,  O  child  of  fettering  heaven,  arife  ; 
Qneen  of  the  world,  and  favourite  of  the  Ikies  ;  6$Q 

la  funny  robe<,  with  living  fp'endor,  mine; 
Be  all  thy  veilments.as  thyfelf  divine  ! 

Seize  the  loud  harp,  aroufe  the  breathing  firing ; 
Exalt  thine  eyes,  and  hymns  of  tranfport  fing  ; 
Behold  thy  ruin'd  walls  again  afcend  ;  635 

Thy  towers  moot  up  ;  thy  fpacious  arches  bend  ; 
Thy  gardens  brighten  ;  lireams  reviving  roll, 
And  gales  of  paradife  intrance  the  foul. 

Where  long,  long  howl'd  the  folitary  blait., 
O'er  the  brown  mountain,  and  the  dreary  wafte  ;         64.0 
Where  fdmihVd  wolves  proclaim'd  their  nightly  roam, 
And  raging  lions  found  a  bloody  home  ; 

« 
Line  6 1  a)  Calling  of  the  Jew?, 

Lt  1  ^ 


35*  B    O    O    K      X. 

Again  glad  funs  command  thy  towers  to  burn, 

And  o'er  thy  fplendors  burJts  the  raptur'd  morn  ; 

In  vales  of  fragrance  hymns  of  angels  ring  ;  64J 

The  mountains  leap  ;  the  confcious  foruts  fing  ; 

To  thy  fiir  realms  the  bloom  of  Eden  given 

Tranfcends  the  morn,  and  rivals  opening  heaven. 

Eo,  from  the  welt,  and  eaft,  and  fouth,  and  north, 
Jr*  cojntlefs  millions,  Gentile  throngs  break  forth  !      65c 
Their  garlands  bloom;   their  golden  offerings  blaze  ; 
Their  harps  inllincYive  tremble  to  thy  praife. 
For  thee,  what  prayers  from  gathering  lands  afcend  ! 
What  fuppHant  nations  at  thine  airars  bend  ! 
With  what  foft  mufic  founds  th'  etherial  long  !  655 

What  love,  what  ecftacy.  attunes  the  tongue  ! 
How  gay  the  heavens  I  how  fair  the  earth  ferene  \ 
How  joy  illumes,  how  incenfe  charms  the  fcene ! 
luO,  in  each  face  priflucval  beauty  glows  ! 
In  every  vein  primreval  vigour  flows ;  66& 

]n  every  bofoin  brightens  peace  refin'd, 
And  e.ldlefs  funfhine  lights  th'  unclouded  mir.cl  ; 
Without  one  terror,  fhuts  the  willing  eye, 
jAnd  the  foul  wafts  in  fiumbcr  to  the  f<v. 
See  mighty  Jutlice  lifts  his  awful  re^gn  !  665 

Eehold  new  Jofiiuas  fv. ay  thy  realms  again  ! 
Again  the  Prophet  lights  the  earthly  gloom  ; 
Heaven's  gates  difclofe,  and  climes  beyond  the  tomb 
To  earth  glad  angels  fpeed  their  beauteous  flight. 
And  call  their  fellow?  to  the  domes  of  light  !  6;« 

In  eailcrn  climes,  where  funs  begin  to  roll, 
Or  where  clear  fplendors  gild  the  fparkling  pole, 
Or  where,  illum'd  by  nature's  faiiefi  r 
o;rale  the  blck'd  regions  of  delccndir j  d 
Lnnumbcr'd  fliips ,  like  mill  the  morn  exhales. 
Stretch  their  dim  canvas  to  the  rufhir.:;  gales. 
Behold,  afcendtng,  cloud-like,  in  the  fld 
How  their  fails  vs  hitcn  1  how  their  m:.iU  ! 


BOOK      X.  HS 

The  world  all  moves !  the  far-extended  main 
Is  loft  beneath  th'  immeafurable  train  I  6*° 

Here  earth  impatient  all  her  treafures  yields, 
Fruits  of  gay  mines,  and  fweets  of  fpicy  fields  ; 
Fair  robes  of  filken  fplendor  mock  the  mom, 
And  fun-bright  gems  wkh  changing  luftre  burn, 

Exult,  O  earth  !   ye  heavens  with  joy  furvey  ^b  $ 

Her  charms,  her  glories,  hold  the  lingering  day  ! 
Lo,  wrapp'd  in  fparkling  gold,  thy  wide  walls  burn  ; 
Thy  ftones  to  pearls,  thy  gates  to  diamonds,  tarn, 
Thy  domes  to  palaces,  thy  feats  to  thrones, 
To  queens  thy  daughters,  and  to  kings  thy  fons. 

Awake,  awake,  ye  tenants  of  the  tomb  ! 
Burft  your  cold  chains,  and  hail  your  deflin'd  home  ! 
l,o,  the  night  fades  ;  the  iky  beeins  to  burn, 
And  ruddy  fplendor  opes  the  living  morn  ! 
See  tombs,  inftin&ive,  break  the  lleepy  charm,  695 

And  gales  divine  the  duft  imprifon'd  warm  ; 
«jrFrom  finifh'd  ftumbers  changing  patriarchs  rife  ; 
Life  crowns  their  heads,  and  tranfport  fires  their  eyes  ; 
Drefs'd  in  the  youth  of  heaven,  again  are  join'd 
The  form  angelic  and  the  fainted  mind.  700 

From  blifs  to  blifs  the  circling  hours  (ball  flow  ; 
With  my  own  frniles  the  pure  expansion  glow  ; 
Bright  as  the  moon,  the  ftars  invert  the  pole  ; 
Bright  as  the  fun,  the  moon  fublimely  roll ; 
Unmeafur'd  glories  round  the  fun  arife,  70^ 

And  every  morn  light  nations  to  the  fkies. 

Long,  long  lhall  thefe  fair  fcenes  the  bofom  charm, 
And  light,  and  love,  refininp  r.ature  warm  ; 
Till  earth  How-mouldering  hear  the  great  decree. 
And  time's  laft  waves  approach  th*  unfathom'd  fea.     710 
There  o'er  wild  regions,  round  thediftant  pole, 
Sb*H  war's  tremendous  voice  begin  to  roll, 

Line  707]    Signs  which  forbode  the   end  of  the  wci'd.  See  Ma;» 
»4,  and  Re*.  19. 


*£o  B    O    O    K       X, 

From  hell's  dark  caverns  D'-fcord  fierce  nfcend, 

lUfound  her  trump,  and  ftartied  nature  rend  ; 

All  heaven  re-echo  to  the  deep  alarms,  71 5 

And  maddening  nations  fwifdy  rum  to  a<-ms. 

See,  high  in  air,  her  banner,  wide  unfurl'd, 

Streams  in  black  terror  o'er  the  trembling  world  ; 

From  pole  to  pole  the  rage  of  combat  flies, 

And  realms  'gainflrealms  with  ardent  vengeance  rife  !j29 

To  fcenes  of  flaughtering  Fight  the  millions  pour  ; 

Loud  thunders  roll,  and  flaming  fwords  devour ; 

Oh  delug'd  plains  unnumber'd  corfes  lie, 

And  fhouts,and  groans,  immingled,  cleave  the  iky. 

To  Cities  then  fhe  fleers  her  dufky  way  ;  725 

The  turrets  (hake,  the  walls  in  fmoke  decay  : 

O'er  the  tall  domes,  and  fpires  in  gold  array'd, 

Where  Pomp  fate  thron'd,  and  Joy  and  Friendfhip  plav'd, 

Fierce  drives  the  nimble  flame  ;  the  whirlwinds  throng, 

Howl  through  the  walls,  and  drive  the  ftorm  along.     730 

Now  to  the  Fields  fhe  wings  her  rapid  force, 

The  world  involving  in  her  wafting  courfe  ; 

Before  her  car,  a  fiery  tempefl  flies ; 

Behind,  long  holts  interminably  rife  ; 

From  her  pale  face  th'  etherial  orbs  retire  ;  7;>> 

Deep  heaves  the  ground  ;   the  blackening  groves  expiie  ; 

Horror,  and  wild  difmay   the  earth  appail, 

And  one  unbounded  ruin  buries  all. 

Mid  thefe  dire  fcenes,  more  awful  fcenes  mail  rife  ; 
Sad  nations  quake,  and  trembling  feize  the  ikies.        740 
From  the  dark  tomb  mall  fearful  1  i i  htfl  afceitd  ; 
And  fallen  founds  the  fleeping  maniion  rend  ; 
Pale  ghofts  with  terror  break  the  dreamer's  charm, 
And  death-like  cries  the  liftcning  world  alarm. 
Then  midnight  pangi  mall  tofi  the  cleaving  plains  ;  745 
Fell    Famine  wanton  o'er  unlniried  trains  ; 
From  crumbling  mountains  baleful  flames  afpire  ; 
Realms  fink  in  floods,  and  towns  diflblve  in  fiie  ; 


BOOK        X.  261 

In, every  blaft,  thefpotted  plague  be  driven, 

An     ■.  ngry  meteors   blaze  athwart  the  heaven.  75® 

Clouds  of  dark  blood  (hall  blot  the  fun's  broad  light, 

Spread  round  th'  immenfe.and  mroud  the  world  in  night* 

With  pale,  and  dreadful  ray,  the  cold  moon  gleam  ; 

The  dim,  lone  (lars  difr'ufe  an  anguifh'd  beam  ; 

Storms  rock  .the  (kies  ;  afflicted  ocean  roar,  755 

And  fanguioe  billows  die  the  fhuddering  fhore  ; 

And  round  earth  thunder,  from  the  almighty  throne, 

The  voice  irrevocable—  It  is  done. 

Rous'd  on  the  fearful  morn,  mall  nature  hear 
The  trump's  deop  terrors  rend  the  troubled  air  ;  760 

from  realm  to  realm  the  found  tremendous  roll ; 
Cleave  the  broad  main,  and  (hake  th'  aftoniuVd  pole  ; 
The  (lumbering  bones  th'  Archangel's  call  infpire  ; 
Hocks  fink  in  dufl,  and  earth  be  wrapp'd  in  fire  ; 
■Fron  realms  far-diftant  orbs  unnumber'd  come,  765 

Sail  rhro'  immenfitv,  and  learn  their  doom  * 
And  all  yon  changelefs  ftars,  that,  thron'don  high, 
Reign  in  immortal  l^ftre  round  the  fky, 
In  folemn  filence  (hroud  their  living  light, 
And  leave  the  world  to  undiftinguim'd  night.  77© 

Hark,  what  dread  founds,  defcending  from  the  pole, 
Wave  following  wave,  in  fwelling  thunders  roll  ! 
How  the  tombs  cleave  !   What  awful  forms  arife  I 
What  crowding  nations  pain  the  failing  eyes ! 
From  land  to  land  behold  the  mountains  rend  ;  775 

Prom  fhore  to  fhore  the  final  flames  afcend, 
Round  the  dark  poles  with  boundlefs  terror  reign, 
M;ith  bend  immeafurable  fweepthe  main, 
From  morn's  far  kingdoms  ftretch  to  realms  ofeven, 
And  climb,  and  climb,  with  folemn  roar  to  heaven.        780 
What  fmoky  ruins  wrap  the  leffening  ground  ! 
What  firey  (beets  fail  through  the  vaulted  round  ! 

Line  759)  Refurrefticn  and  Conflagration.    787]  Laft  Judgement. 


t*i  B    O    O    K      X. 

PourM  in  ore  mafs,  the  lands,  and  leas,  decay  ; 
Inroll'd,  the  heavens,  difiblving,  fleet  av\ay  , 
The  mcon  departs  ;  the  lun's  laft  beams  expire, 
And  nature's  buried  in  the  boundlefs  nre. 

Lo,  from  the  radiance  of  the  blefs'd  abode, 
Meffiah  comes,  in  all  the  pomp  of  God  ! 
Borne  on  fwift  winds,  ailorm.  berore  him  flies  ; 
Stars  crown  his  head,  and  rainbows  round  him  rife;      790 
Beneath  his  feet,  a  fun's  broad  terrors  burn, 
And  cleaving  darknefs  opes  a  dreadful  morn  : 
Through  boundlefs  fpace  careering  names  are  driven  ; 
Truth's  facred  hoibdelcend,  and  all  the  thronesof  heaven. 
See  crowding  millions,  call'd  from  earth's  far  ends,  79$ 
See  hell's  dark  world,  with  fearful  gloom,  afcends. 
In  throngs  incomprehenfible  !  Around 
Worlds  after  worlds,  from  nature's  fartheft  bound, 
Gall'd  by  th'  Archangel's  voice,  from  either  pole, 
Self-mov'd,  with  all  created  nations,  roll.  8co 

From  this  great  train,  his  eyes  the  juft  divide. 
Price  of  his  life,  and  being's  faireft  pride  ; 
Rob'd  by  his  mighty  hand,  the  (tarry  throngs 
From  hirpsnf  tranfport  call  exftatic  fonsrs. 

Hail,  heirs  of  endlefs  peace  !  ordain'd  to  rove         £c$ 
Round  the  pure  climes  of  evcrlaftin^  love. 
For  you  the  fun  firft  led  the  lucid  morn  j 
The  world  was  faihion'd,  and  Metiiah  born  ; 
For  you  hiph  heaven  with  fond  impatience  waits, 
Pours  her  fair  ltreams,  and  opes  her  golden  gates ;       Stc 
Each  hour,  with  purer  glorv,  gayly  mines. 
Her  courts  enlarges,  and  her  air  refines. 

But  O  unhappy  race  {   to  woes  confign'd, 
Lur'd  by  fond  pleafure,  and  to  wifdom  blind. 
Wfett  new  Median  mall  thefpirlt  fave,  gie 

,->t:iv  the  pent  flame-,  and  fruit  th'  eternal  grave  f 
Where  flccps  the  mufic  of  his  voice  divine  > 
Where  hkles  the  face,  that  could  fo  fweetly  (hire  / 


BOOK      X.  *fy 

Now  hear  that  flighted  voice  to  thunder  turn  ! 

See  that  mild  face  with  flames  of  vengeance  burn  1     820 

High  o'er  your  heads  the  ftorm  of  ruin  roars, 

And,  round  th'  immenfe  no  friend  your  fate  deplores. 

Lo,  there  to  endlefs  woe  in  throngs  are  driven, 
What  once  were  angels,  and  bright  itars  of  heaven  ! 
The  world's  gay  pride  1   the  king  with  fplendor  crown'di 
The  chief  refiitlefs,  and  the  fage  renown'd  !  826 

Down,  down,  the  millions  fink  ;   where  yon  broad  main 
Heaves  her  dark  waves,  and  fpreads  the  feats  of  pain  : 
Where  long,  black  clouds,  embla'iV  with  awful  fire,  820 
Pour  fullen  round  their  heads,  and  in  dread  gloom  retire- 
Then,  tumult's  hideous  din  forever  o'er, 
All  foes  fubdued,  and  doom'd  to  rife  no  more, 
Sin  forc'd  from  each  fair  clime  to  final  flight, 
And  hell's  dark  prifon  lock'd  i;>  endlefs  n-ight  ; 
To  heaven's  extremes  diviner  peace  (hall  roll,  Ej* 

Andfpread  throug-h  countlefs  worlds,  beyond  each  diimn* 
Crown'd  with  glad  triumph,  from  the  toils  of  war,  [pole-, 
On  angel's  wings,  fhall  fail  MeiTiah's  car  ; 
To  the  great  Sire  his  conquering  hand  reftore 
Th'  etheria!  enfigns  of  unmeafur'd  power ;  84/3 

Prefent  his  fons,  before  the  palace  bright, 
And  feek  the  boibm  of  unborrow'd  light. 

Then  fcenes,  in  heaven  before  unknown,  fhall  rife, 
And  a  new  a^ra  blefs  th'  angelic  ikies  ; 
Through  boundlefs  tracts,  a  nobler  kingdom  fhine,     845 
Nor  Seraphs'  minds  conceive  the  pomp  divine. 
All  realms,  all  worlds  above,  combin'd  in  one  ; 
The  heaven  of  heavens  the  bright,  eternal  throne; 
The  fubjeifb  faints  ;   the  period  endlefs  fpring  ; 
The  realm  iiwmenfrt-y,  and  God  t.-.e  king.  ---^ 

As  nVd,  unchang'd,  yon  central  world  of  fire 
Leads  on  fublime  the  planetary  choir, 

Line  83  0  Cwifuirtrnation  of  all  things* 


264  BOOK       X. 

Lights  all  the  living  lamps,  and  round  the  fey, 

In  midnight  fplendor  calls  the  moon  to  fly  ; 

Creates  their  fmiles,  inftruels  their  orbs  to  roll,  85$ 

Fair  eye  of  nature,  and  the  world's  great  foul  ; 

So,  in  the  beams  of  clear  perfections  fhrin'd, 

Shall  his  great  Source,  the  Uncreated  Mind, 

Through  all  the  Morning  Stars  that  round  him  glow. 

Rove  in  his  fmiles,  and  at  his  altar  bow,  860 

Through  countlefs  trains,  where  worlds  unnumbcr'd  rife, 

And  cloth'd  in  fcarry  pomp  fuperior  Ikies, 

Pure  rays  of  endlefs  peace  indulgent  mine, 

And  warm  immenfuy  with  love  divine. 

Love's  mighty  chain  (hall  boundlefs  beings  bind,     35$ 
Join  world  to  world,  und  mind  unite  with  mind  ; 
O'er  the  great  houfriold  heaven's  eternal  pride, 
from  age  to  age,  th'  Almighty  Sire  prefide  ; 
Around  his  awful  throne,  with  fearching  eyes, 
See  fairer  fons,  and  priefts,  and  kings,  arife  ;  879 

Uid  his  own  effence  in  their  hearts  revive, 
His  beauty  brighten,  and  hn  glory  live  : 
From  harps  etherial  living  raptures  fall, 
Heaven  fill  th'  immenfe,  and  God  be  all  in  all. 

In  glory  wafted  down  the  lucid  pole,  S-c 

See  Salem's  walls  their  folemn  fcenes  unrcll  ! 
Lefs  beauteous  charms  the  lovely  fpoufe  array. 
When  beam*  of  rapture  light  the  bridal  day. 
Behold,  new  (hies  ierencly  joiind  her  glow  ; 
Pure  fragrance  breathes,  and  purple  fplendors  flow  :    $gt3 
In  pomp  afcends  the  evcr-rihng  morn, 
And  ilarry  rainbows  round  her  chariot  burn  ! 

There,  from  the  diftant  wave,  no  funs  arife  ; 
No  moon's  pale  radiance  gleams  in  evening  fkies ; 
Round  the  broad  region,  with  unfading  ray, 
Jehcvah  fmiles  immeafurablc  day  : 

Lint  S75)  rroffcel  oi Leaven,  find  a  happy  immortality. 


book    x;  tH 

With  living  luftre,  fruits  ceieftisl  glow, 
And  ft/earn*  of  life  in  endkfs  beauty  now. 
In  robes  of  angels,  fee  the  chosen  fhine  ; 
Waft  on  the  floods,  or  walk  in  iight  divine  ;  '  S90 

Or  tafte  the  changing  tree,  whole  fruit  fupplies 
The  youth  of  heaven,  and  beauty  of  the  flues  ! 

There,  drefs'd  in  bloom,  and  young  in  rofy  years, 
Th'  immortal  Father  of  mankind  appears: 
In  clear  effulgence,  Israel's  Prophet  mines,  S95 

And  no  dark  veil  his  eager  wifh  confines  : 
With  fmiles  of  joy  fcrene,  the  Friend  of  Gc  r> 
Counts  his  glad  ions,  and  opes  the  blei's'd  abode. 
To  thefe  fair  realms  thy  fiotileps  ihall  afcend  ; 
Hexe  crowns  await  thee,  and  blight  robes  attend  j       90O 
At  nature's  call,  thy  guardian  feraph  come, 
And  guide  his  chofen  to  th'  eternal  home  ; 
Before  the  f.icred  throne,  thy  thoughts  appear, 
Thy  virtuous  toils,  thy  trur.h,  and  love,  fmcere : 
His  witnefi'd  favourite,  God  with  fmiles  approve,     905 
And  join  to  nations  of  immortal  love. 

O  blifbful  hour  !  when,  freed  from  bonds  of  clay, 
Thy  path  commences  to  the  climes  of  day  j 
When  from  the  fun  thy  wing  begins  to  rife 
Through  the  broad  regions  of  unmeafur'd  fkies,  91c 

When  time's  dark  years  behind  thy  flight  mail  roll, 
And  all  eternity  invade  thy  foul. 

In  that  blefs'd  hour,  the  fons  of  light  fna'l  come,     - 
And  fhout  thee  welcome  to  thy  deftin'd  home  ; 
With  heightening  beauty  bloom  each  angel  mind,     915 
Glow  with  pure  joy,  and  yearn  with  love  refin'd  ; 
In  {trains  divine,  impaiTion'd  feraphs  tell 
How  with  dire  treafon  heavenly  nations  fell  ; 
Wnat  deeds  renown'd  have  grac'd  the  fair  abode  ; 
Truth  that  endur'd,  and  zeal  that  rais'd  to  God  ;      gzQ 

How  round  th'  expannon  worlds  unnumber'd  fprung, 

And  hofts  etherial  fky-born  praifes  fung  ; 

The  peace,  the  charms,  to  vernal  Eden  given, 

Converting  angels,  and  approving  Fit  aver. 

In  that  blefs'd  hour,  mall  faints  of  antient  days,  52  c 

Lights  of  mankind,  and  heirs  of  deaihlefs  praife, 
Mm 


Difclofe  how  Adam's  fons  the  world  o'erfpreao, 

Borne  to  far  ifles,  and  o'er  wide  Teas  convey'd  ; 

How  the  lone  ark  the  feeds  of  nations  bore, 

And  boundlefs  ocean  tofs'd  without  a  more  ; 

Embattled  holts  the  patriarch's  faith  o'ercane, 

Nor  votive  Ifaac  quench'dthc  living  flame  ; 

Through  the  long  devious  defert  Jfrael  rov'd  ; 

The  angel  wreftled,  and  the  brother  lov'd. 

Rapt  in  thy  blefs'd  arrival,  there  mall  glow  $3$ 

The  faithful  partners  of  thine  every  woe  ; 

Their  hopes,  their  fears,  their  toils,  with  thee  run  o'er, 

Fains  far  retir'd,  and  griefs  that  haunt  no  more  ; 

His  long-lov'd  friend  unlpotted  Hezron  join, 

Add  fong  to  fong,  and  mingle  blifs  with  thine  ;  J40 

Irad,  divined  flower !   to  meet  thee  rife, 

And  caft  rich  fragrance  round  delighted  flcies. 

With  this  great  concourfe  lofc  in  joys  ferene, 
No  tongue  can  utter,  and  no  fancy  feign, 
Diflbiv'd  in  friendship,  chain'd  to  friend?,  divine,       94^ 
Whofe  thoughts,  whole  converfe,  every  power  refine, 
Thy  unknown  ages  fwift  mall  glide  away, 
Loft  in  th'  immenfe  of  never-ending  day. 
Thro'  heaven's  expanded  field  thy  feet  fhall  rove, 
Th'  all-beauteous  region  of  ecftatic  love  ;  cj$# 

Her  gates  of  pearl,  her  towers  of  gems,  behold, 

Her  ftreets,  her  manfions,  of  pellucid  gold  ; 

Where  each  fair  gate  cherubic  watchmen  guard, 

And  God,  approving,  fhowers  the  vaft  reward. 

There  (halt  thou  i'eel,  when,  freed  from  fin's  alloy,  95^ 

Souls  lift  their  pinions  to  the  climes  of  joy, 

Aromd  all  heaven  what  fpceehlcfs  trarfperrs  roll, 

Blend  fmile  with  fmile,  and  mingle  foul  with  foul  ; 

There  hail,  ecftatic,  to  the  bright  abode, 

The  crowns,  the  trophic:,  of  Median's  l-lood.  o6» 

There  Gon's  own  hand  (hall  lift  the  curtain  high, 

/  nd  all  earth's  wonders  open  to  thine  rye  j 

.In  time's  royfteriouj  reign,  thy  foul  purlue 

Tower  ever  glorious,  wiidom  ever  new  ; 

^ood,  Creation's  Angle  enJ, 

And  Goo  his  own,  and  being'.;,  faithful  friend  | 


BOO    II' 

In  all,  the  prefent  God  refulgent  mine, 
And  boundlefs  glory  fill  the  work  divine. 

Fed  with  perennial  fprings  of  blifs  refin*d$ 
Pivine  effufions  of  th*  All-lovely  Mind,  97° 

With  endlefs  ardour  (hall  thy  fpirit  glow, 
And  love  immenfe  from  heaven's  great  fountain  flow  ; 
■Unbounded  grace  fill  unconnn'd  defire, 
Warm  thy  rapt  bofom,  and  thy  fongs  infpirc. 

Each  hour,  thy  fpreading  thoughts  fi.allfwift  improve  % 
Each  hour  increafe  the  tranfports  of  thy  love  ;  9.75 

With  morning  beauty,  Youth  around  thee  fnine, 
Implant  new  fenfes,  and  the  old  reiine  ; 
From  height  to  height  thy  rifing  wifhes  grow, 
And,  at  their  birth,  the  full  enjoyment  flow  ;  j3o 

No  care,  no  want,  th'  expanding  blifs  deliroy, 
■But  every  thought,  and  fenfe,  and  wifn,  be 

From  thefe  blefs'd  fcenes  thy  flight  mall  oft  defcend, 
And,  with  thy  kindred  angels,  man  attend. 
What  f,veet  complacence  mali  thy  bofom  warm,  ,985 

To  fpread  fair  truth,  and  every  woe  to  charm  ; 
Guard  the  lone  cot^where  faith  delights  to  dwell ; 
Or  wake  pure  fervors  in  the  fecret  cell ; 
Or  watch  that  houfe,  where  itrong  devotions  rife  ; 
And  prayers  as  incenfe  cheer  the  morning  ikies ;         .gg& 
Where  fons  to  faints,  to  angels  daughters,  grow. 
And  peace,  and  virtue,  build  a  heaven  below. 
When  fear  alarms,  (halt  thou  that  fear  allay,;        ^ 
When  grief  di  ft  relies,  fmile  the  pangs  away; 
When  pain  torments,  the  pious  eyelids  clofe,  -«£j 

Make  foft  the  bed,  and  breathe  ferene  repoiV.; 
Guide  the  departing  foul  to  yonder  Ikies, 
And  teach  the  young  immortal  how  to  rife. 
Through  fcprching  fands  {halt  thou  the  wanderer  brin?, 
,Wafc  balmy  gales,  and  point  the  cooling  fpring;        1000 
Or  lure  declining  feet  from  flowery  ways, 
Seal  the  charm'd  ear,  and  turn  the  fata!  gaze  ; 
Or  with  rude  whirlwinds  the  rou^h  main  deform  ; 
Or  roll  the  thunders  of  the  mountain  ilorm  ; 
Or  on  the  fanguine  plain  fublimely  ftand,  izo" 

Pireet  the  triumph,  and  the  flight  command,; 


afa  BOOK        X. 

Or  o'er  fome  realm  in  glorious  pomp  prefide, 
To  faints  a  guardian,  and  to  kings  a  guide. 

Nor  lhall  one  world  thy  bounded  view  confine  ; 
But  round  all  being  ftretch  thy  flight  divine,  IOIO 

To  worlds  difpers'd  o'er  worlds,  ambitious  rife, 
The  golden  planets  of  fublimer  fkies. 

r  ar  o'er  thy  little  earth,  to  man's  weak  eye, 
Encircling  roll  the  glories  of  the  fky. 
Yet  know,  blefs'd  prince  though  thus  apparent  all,    1015 
The  moon  moves  fingly  round  this  darkfome  hall, 
The  earth,  with  thofe  fair  fires  of  wandering  light, 
That  Ihed  foft  luftreo'er  the  darkfome  night, 
/ill  worlds  alike,  with  countlefs  nations  crown'd, 
In  circling  courfe,  the  fun's  bright  orb  furround.         102C 
SHU  their  glad  facejs  to  his  fplendor  turn, 
Imbibe  his  beams,  and  meet  the  grateful  morn. 

This  mighty  fcene  thy  mind  with  awe  infpires, 
With  beauty  raptures,  and  with  wonder  fires. 
But  O  thou  man  belov'd  !  yon  vault  furvey,  IC25 

Where  flars  in  millions  blind  the  midnight  ray  ; 
Jn  fpace'  broad  fields  fo  far  the  pomp  retires, 
Yon  frpphirc  concave  fcarce  their  twinkling  fires : 
Hence  vainly  deem'd  the  gems  of  inborn  light, 
Ordain'd  to  tremble  through  the  gloom  of  night  ;      I030 
Jn  near  approach,  thofe  ftars,  with  conftant  r 
Shoot  round  tV  expanfion,  noon's  exceflivc  blaze, 

ine  the  empire  of  furrounding  night, 
And  reign,  and  glory,  in  immortal  light.  ,c34 

J  or  know,l>lefs'<i  favourite,  fun?  are  thofe  fair  flames  ; 

rl  is  round  them  roll,  and  day  perpetual  beams  ; 
Thofe  worlds  unnumber'd  circling  moons  adorn, 
And  with  long  fplendors  comets  mid  them  burn. 
A*  in  the  world  of  mind:.,  with  golden  chain, 
Attractive  T-o*  e  extends  her  blifsful  reign,  104c 

Jn  one  pu-  all  fainted  beings  joins, 

Con  with  his  fons,  his  (on-  with  Gon  combines  : 
The  bond  to  nil  of  pure  perfection  given, 

,  peace,  and  joy  of  heaven  : 
So  this  ftupendous  frame,  by  him  alone  104  5 

0,  hg  1  :  ipportcd,  numbcrM,  known, 


BOOK         X.  a6* 

Thefe  countlefs  fyfiems  in  one  fyflem  join'd, 

Their  fize,  their  diftance,  with  nice  art  defign'd, 

A  great,  attracting  power,  on  all  imprefs'd, 

Connects,  moves,  governs,  and  forbids  to  reft.  IO5O 

By  this  great  power,  impelling  and  impell'd, 
All  worlds  move  on  through  fpace'  unmeafur'd  field. 
Around  their  planets  moons  refulgent  ilray  ; 
Around  their  funs  thofe  planets  trace  their  way  ; 
ground  your  central  heaven  all  fyfiems  roll  ;  *°55 

And  one  great  circling  motion  rules  the  whole. 
O  fcene  divine,  on  thofe  bright  towers  to  Hand, 
And  mark  the  wonders  of  th'  Eternal  hand  ; 
To  fee  thro'  fpace  unnumber'd  fyftems  driven, 
"Worlds  round  their  func,and  fans  around  the  heaven;  1060 
To  fee  one  ordinance  worlds  and  funs  obey  ; 
Their  order,  peace,  and  fair,  harmonious  way  ; 
Their  folemn  filence  :  varying  pomp  divine  ; 
Their  fair  proportions,  and  their  endlefs  mine  ! 
Some  nearer  rolling  in  celeftial  light  ;  lo6*| 

Some  diftant  glimmering  tov'rd  the  bordering  night ; 
'Till  far  remov'd  from  thought  the  regions  lie, 
Where  angels  never  wing'd  the  lonely,  verging  fky, 

On  the  clear  glafs  as  fmiles  the  beauteous  form, 
And  youth's  fair  light,  and  eyes  of  glory,  charm  ;     107© 
As  lucid  flreams,  with  face  ferene,  unfold 
Spring's  gayeft  prime,  and  flowers  that  bloom  in  gold  ; 
As  boundlefs  ocean's  f month,  refplendent  plain 
Rebeams  the  flcies,  and  all  their  wonderous  train, 
No  part,  no  wave,  but  feels  the  fun's  broad  ray,  1075 

And  glows,  refledtive,  with  furrounding  day  : 
So  round  th'  immenfe,  on  fair  creation's  breaft, 
In  endlefs  pomp  the  Godhead  mines  imprefs'd  ; 
His  love,  his  beauty,  o'er  all  nature  burns  ; 
Each  fan  unfolds  it,  and  each  world  returns  ;  I0S0 

Each  day,  each  hour,  the  glory  bright  improves, 
And  Gon,  with  ceafelefs  foiile,  th'  immortal  image  love?. 
Wing'd  with  pure  fl?me  thro'  fpace'  unmeafur'd  rounds, 
Thy  foul  (ball  vifit  being's  fartheft  bounds  ; 
When  orbs  begin,  inftrutt  their  mafs  to  roll;  ic8£ 

For  changing  feafons  fix  a  fieacy  pole; 


fc?Q  BOO    K      X. 

Teach  eve  to  purple,  golden  morn  to  rife, 
And  light  new  funs  in  folitary  dies. 

Upborne  from  world  to  world,  fhalt  thou  behold 
How  ever-varying  wonders  Gob  unfold  ;  ic$$ 

In  each  new  realm,  with  growing  blifs  purfue 
Scenes  unimagin'd,  nations  ever  new  ; 
See  fome  through  highborn  virtues  fwiftly  foar, 
Some  humbler  duties,  humbler  thoughts  explore  ; 
To  every  race,  new  thoughts  new  fenfes  bring  i  lc9^ 

On  every  plain,  new  vegetations  fpring  ; 
O'er  virtue's  fons  eternal  morning  bloom  ; 
O'er  guilt's  vile  throngs  afcead  eternal  gloom  ; 
O'er  mingled  nations  mingling  feafons  roll, 
And  peace,  and  tumult,  wrap  the  changing  pole.       s :    > 

To  endlefs  years,  thy  mind,  infpir'd,  (hall  rife 
Thro'  knowledge,  love,  and  beauty,  of  the  fkies ; 
To  heights  angelic,  archangelic,  ioar, 
'Tillman's  faint  language  paint  the  heights  no  more  : 
When  borne  to  glory,  wing'd  to  Rights  fupreme,       UC£ 
Thy  foul  (hall  reach  creation's  firlt  extreme. 
Beyond  all  thought  aflume  her  laft  abode, 
And  feekthe  bofom  of  th'  involving  God. 

The  Vifion  ceas'd.     At  once  the  fcenes  decay'd, 
His  bright  form  vanifh'd  and  his  glories  fled  :  1 1 IO 

Swift  to  the  campth'  exulting  Chief  return'd, 
Lie  the  glad  day-flar  in  the  orient  burn'd. 


THE 


CON  QJJ  EST     of     CANAAN; 


BOOK        XI. 


Argument, 

Morning,  Harejhah  returns  to  Gibeon.  Army  afjembleu 
Speech  of  Caleb.  HannieU  Jojhua's  advice  to  him  ; 
his  reply.  fofhua' 's  prayer.  C  leu  d  rolls  before  the  ar- 
my toward  Gibeon.  Pro/peel  of  the  Heathen  boft  beyond 
the  city.  Speech  of  ff/hua  en  that  occaf. 
defcendfrom  the  mountain  J ' al in  prepares  fur  battle, 
and  arranges  the  heathen  arny  en  tie  bank  of  a  f mall  n- 
*ver,  Gibeonites  aj'cend  the  walls  to  view  the  battle* 
Aradon  marches  his  troops  cut  to  meet  Jcjhua,  who  %i-ver 
the  command  of  them  to  Amur  an.  Arrangement  of  :he 
combatants.  Jojbua  by  ajlratagcm  dramas  the  Heu: 
from  their  advantageous  pcft.     G  Je» 

Jhua> s  exploits.  He  kill'  \  ral- 

lies the  heathens  ;  .  . 

Egon.       f'/bua,  feting  Hascorjirt  , 

moves  down  thp  river,  a?:d  reji  w  •  urn, 

and  routs  J a;  mut  .a.      Exploits  of  Zimri.     He 

kills  Rohan),   and  puti    Hebron  into  confufion.     f.. 
rallies  them,  and  hills  Ha>r 

leaves  his  divificn  to  engage  Ho%or  ;  and    rallies 
Combat  between    him    and  Jabin.     Heathens    re 
Storm  of  Hail.      Israelites  return  to  t bar  "camp    and  are 
met  by  their  wives    and  children  fnging   prafe  to  the 
Creater.     Conclujion, 


The     CONQUEST     of     CANAAN. 
BOOK      Xli 


NOW  rofe  in  heaven  the  great,  the  final  day, 
Where  fates  of  chiefs,  and  kings,  and  kingdoms  lay 
Morn  drefs'd  in  golden  pride  the  cliffs  on  high, 
Stream'd  o'er  the  groves,  and  brighten'd  round  the  iky  : 
No  cloud,  no  mill,  obfcur'd  the  blue  ferene  ;  $ 

And  peace,  and  filence,  hufh'd  the  i'olemn  fcene, 

To  Caleb's  tent  alert  the  Hero  flrode, 
And  rous'd  Harefhah  to  the  field  of  blood.— 
With  active  hafte  to  Gibeon's  prince  repair  ; 
To  range  his  thoufands  be  his  inftant  care  :  lp 

Ere  the  glad  fun  climb  half  th'  etherial  main. 
Shall  Heaven's  broad  ftandard  tremble  on  the  plain.-*- 
Far  o'er  the  weitern  field,  with  keen  delight, 
He  wing'd  his  courfe/and  vanifh'd  from  the  fight. 

And  now  once  more  the  clarion's  dreadful  found         15 
Infpires  to  arms,  and  makes  the  banner'd  ground  : 
To  arms  the  martial  thoufands  raptur'd  fpring ; 
Their  fongs  refound,  their  claming  bucklers  ring  : 
Roll'd  on  the  winds,  imperial  enfigns  play, 
And  wav'd  their  fplendors  to  the  burfling  day.  20 

Now  join'd  in  marfhali'd  ranks  the  generous  train, 
And  gloomy  columns  darken'd  o'er  the  plain  ; 
When,  rob'd  in  white,  their  hoary  fathers  came, 
Great  in  pail  field?,  and  heirs  of  deaulefs  f^mes 

N  n 


274  BOO     K      XL 

One  was  their  voice,  and  from  their  reverend  eyes,        %  j 

The  bold  heroic  flame  began  to  rife  ; 

The  foul  flood  ftruggling  in  the  heaving  breaft, 

And  every  limb  their  vigorous  thoughts  expreft. 

When  Caleb  thus— -The  great  concluding  day 

Now  calls  to  arms,  and  Heaven  directs  the  way  :  30 

What  tho'  unnumber'd  hofts  againft  us  rife, 

And  with  proud  madnefs  brave  infnlted  Skies  ; 

Shall  cumbrous  throngs  the  meaneil  arm  difmay  ? 

Or  one  bafe  thought  diltain  the  glorious  day  ? 

Think  how  bold  Abraham  fwept  the  midnight  plain,     35 

While  realms  oppos'd,  and  millions  fought,  in  vain  ; 

How  two  brave  patriarchs,  in  one  friendly  gloom, 

Sunn'd  Shechem's  towers  and  op'd  a  nation's  tomb  ; 

Think  how  thsfe  fires  for  you  unbroken  toil  "a, 

Dar'd  the  rough  main,  and  rrrov'd  the  hideous  wild  ;     40 

Made  fpiry  towns,  and  haughty  kings  a  prey, 

And  forc'd  o'er  countlefs  lands  refrftlefs  way. 

See  your  fend  partners  in  fad  grief  array'd, 

Behold  your  children  claim  pnrenral  aid  ! 

Your  hands  their  freedom  and  their  fate  fufpend  ;  45 

Your  fwords  mult  conquer,  or  your  race  mull  end. 

Nor  let  thefe  narrow  fcenes  your  thoughts  confine  ; 

Claim  nobler  views  and  pafs  the  felSili  line. 

Ages  unborn  from  you  fhall  trace  their  doom, 

Heaven's  future  Seers,  and  heroes  yet  to  come  ;  5$ 

]f  (laves,  or  men,  this  day  your  hands  decide, 

The  fcorn  of  nations,  or  the  world's  great  pride  : 

Empire  and  bondage  in  your  bofbms  lie  ; 

7Tis  yours  to  triumph,  cr  tis  oars  to  die. 

He  fpoke,  and  filent  to  th'  all. bounteous  SI  55 

Stretch'd  wide  his  his  kindling  eyes: 

F.ach  glowing  vifap  in  around 

And  hoirfe  npplaufes  (hook  the  neighbouring  ground. 

Bright  from  the  lucid  main,  the  fun's  broad  eye 
I.cok'd  in  imperial  iulendor  from  the  I  Cm 


BOOK      XI. 


•i  3 


With  war's  gay  pomp  then  {hone  th'  embattled  plains ; 
In  proud  battalions  rofe  the  martial  trains  ; 
A  broken  radiance  burft  from  trembling  (hields, 
And  haughty  heroes  ftalk'd  abng  the  fields. 

Bold  Hanniel  there  in  mining  armour  flood,  £5 

And  hop'd  a  deathlefs  name  in  fcenes  of  blood. 
He  favv  the  holt  to  final  combat  rife, 
The  champions  nations,  and  a  realm  the  prize. 
Now  wealth  allur'd  ;   the  rival  now  alarm'd  ; 
Strong  pride  irapeiPd,  and  fplendid  conqueil  chars.*-'     -0 
His  wounds,  his  pains,  in  quick  oblivion  goDe, 
The  wiih  of  glory  prompts  the  warrior  on  ; 
Fleas'd,  his  fond  fancy  flies  fromfi'ent  fhame 
To  plains  of  triumph,  and  to  wreaths  of  fame. 

Him  Jofhua  viewM  with  pity  in  his  brealt,  75 

And  kindly  thus  the  haughty  chief  addrefs'd  — 
If,  when  dread  war  refounds  her  hoarfe  alarm, 
Health  flufh  the  cheek,  and  vigor  brace  the  arm, 
To  fight,  the  warrior  virtue  fame  command, 
And  knaves  alone  refufe  the  needed  hand. 
But  tho'J,  brave  Hanniel,  feek'f:  the  field  in  v 
Pale  with  loft  blood,  and  weak  with  ceafeleffl  pain, 
Unftrung  to  fight,  and  impotent  to  fiv, 
Ufelefs,   alive  ;  nor  glorious,  lhould'ftthon  die. 
In  fields  of  frequent  ftrife  thy  garlands  bloc  re  ;  Ss 

Let  not  their  verdure  wither  on  thy  tomb  : 
No  feeble  aid  fuch  numerous  honours  claim, 
Nor    can  bale  envy  crop  the  growing  fame. 

He  fpoke,  impatient  Hanniel  quick   return'd, 
And  keen  refentment  in  his  vifnge  burn'd—  90 

While  yon  bright  orb  rolls  on  the  mighty  doom 
Of  millions   born,  and  mUIions  yet  to  come, 
What  chief,  what  man,  who  boaits  a  reafoning  mind, 
Will  hide  in  fhame,  or  fleep  in  tents  confin'd  : 
Let  thefe,  if  Jacob's  race  fuch  culprits  knows,  9- 

Shirnk  from  great  fcenes,  and  die  in  vile  repofe, 


276  BOOK      XI. 

Not  fuch  is  Hanniel  :  when  my  country  calls. 

I  fmile  at  fields  of  blood,  and  blazing  walls ; 

Where  clarions  roar  my  ready  footiteps  hie, 

Glue  to  the  fight,  and  afk  no  (Irength  to  fiy.  ico 

Unbroke  by  wounds,  my  voice  (haH  now  infpire 

The  coward's  languor,  and  the  warrior's  fire  ; 

This  fhield,  or  thefe  frail  limbs,  well  pleas'd,  arreft 

The  lance,  that  flies  to  wound  a  worthier  breaft. 

But  Hanniel's  glory  why  mould  Jofhua  fear  ?  105 

Do  rival  names  alarm  thy  tender  ear  ? 

On  yon  broad  plain  unnumber'dftars  arife, 

Move  in  gay  ranks,  and  triumph  round  the  fkies  ; 

Each  lends  his  beam  to  fwell  the  pomp  divine, 

Nor  grieves  that  neighbouring  fpangles "brighter  ihine. 

How  beauteous  thus  in  Honour's  Angel-race,  1  u 

When  fome  blefl  sra  numerous  heroes  grace, 

Mean  felf  difdain'd,  if  virtuous  all  engage 

To  fill  with  light  the  conflellated  age. 

Some  fliining  deed  mould  this  right  hand  atchieve,       1 1  5 

Unllain'd,  unrivall'd,    Jolhua's  name  would  live; 

Then  wifh  no  more  my  daysconfum'd  in  fhame  j 

Nor  grudge  the  glory,  generous  actions  claim. 

The  Leader  heard,  and  wifh'd  that  Heaven  had join'd 
A  heart  more  honeft  with  To  bright  a  mind  :  129 

Through  his  great  bofom  thrill'd  a  fudden  pain, 
Where  fweet  compaflion  mix'd  with  brave  difdain. 
Sighing  he  fckl— How  blind  is  reafon's  eye, 
When  Heaven  ordains  o'er-weening  man  to  die  ! 

Now  through  the  hoit  he  caft  a  piercing  view,  125 

And  every  rank,  and  every  flation,  knew  ; 
Then,  while  mute  filence  huih'd  th*  adoring  bands, 
From  a  tall  rock,  he  rear'd  his  fuppliant  hands.  — - 

O  thou,  whofe  throne,  uprais'd  beyond  all  height, 
Glows  in  th'  effulgence  of  unutter'd  light,  130 

O'er  earth,  o'er  hell,  o'er  heaven,  extends  thy  fway  ; 
Angefs,  Archangels,  Thrones,  and  Pcncrs  oi>ey  ; 


book     xr.  *77 

All  fcenes,  all  worlds,  confefs  thy  hand  divine, 
And  Teas,  and  ikies,  and  ftars,  and  funs,  are  thine. 

At  thy  command,  to  glory  nations  rife  ;  IJ5 

At  thy  command,  each  guilty  kingdom  dies  ; 
At  thy  command,  awakes  the  trumpet's  roar : 
Death  walks  the  plain,  and  earth  is  drench'd  in  gore  ; 
Hulh'd  by  thy  fovereign  nod,  the  tempefts  ceafe  ; 
Peace  is  thy  choice,  and  all  the  world  is  peace.  14.0 

This  day,  O  Power  fupreme  !   again.it.  the  fides, 
Sheath'din  dread  arms,  unnumber'd  thoufands  rife. 
As  raging  flames  the  fhaggy  mountains  burn, 
The  groves  to  dull,  and  fields  to  ceferts  turn  ; 
So  let  thy  vengeance  fweep  th'  embattled  plain,  145 

And  teach  proud  monarchs  God's  eternal  reign. 

From  endleG  years  thy  all-encircling  mina 
To  Abraham'*  race  this  beauteous  land  aflign'd  : 
The  land,  where  Truth  lhall  £x  her  lading  feat ; 
Where  fey-born  Virtue  feeks  a  calm  retreat ;  150 

Where  bleil  Redemption  opes  her  living  morn  ; 
Where  heaven  commences,  and  where  Gcd  is  born, 
Fpr  this  thy  voice  the  facred  promife  gave  ; 
For  this  thy  thunders  cleft  th'  Egyptian  wave  ; 
Rich  manoa  fhower'd  ;  with  ftreams  the  defart  fnjil'd*  1^5 
And  the  whole  heaven  defcended  on  the  wild. 
Stiil,  O  unchanging  Mind  !  thy  bounty  fnower  ; 
X>raw  thy  red  fword,  and  ftretch  thine  arm  of  power, 
To  gain  thefe  realms,  the  crown  of  long  deiire, 
Let  Heaven  protect  us,  and  let  Heaven  infpire  1  16 Q 

•He  fpoke  :  a  ruining  voice  began  to  roar, 
Like  caverns,  echoing  on  the  fea-beat  (here  ; 
Deep  rang  the  hollow  found  :  and  o'er  the  traiiv, 
The  cloud  ftupendous  fail'd  along  the  plain  ; 
Broad  flames,  in  fierce  efr-jfion,  round  it  play'd,  1  65 

Scorch'd  the  green  iields,  and  brighten'd  a]  1 .e  ; 

;'ow'rd  weftern  hills  the  fearful  gloom  retir'd, 
And  all  the  fplendor  in  one  flafii  expix'd. 


*73  COOK      XI. 

Loud  rofe  the  trump  ;  and  rang'd  in  dread  array, 
Behind  the  cloud  the  fquadrons  trac'd  their  way  ;        170 
The  burnifh'd  helm,  blue  mail,  and  upright  fpear, 
Glcam'd  o'er  the  plain,  and  ftarr'd  the  kindled  air  : 
High  ftrode  the  Leader  in  the  glorious  van, 
And  round  his  arms  an  awful  glory  ran  : 
For  God  enrob'd  him  with  a  pomp  divine,  17c, 

And  bade  an  angel  in  his  countenance  mine. 
Thus,  when  no  cloud  obfeures  th'  autumnal  even, 
And  night's  dark  hand  unveils  the  vault  of  heaven, 
Crown 'd  with  pure  beams,  her  Tons  in  beauty  rife, 
And  glow,  andfparkle,  o'er  unmeafur'd  flues  ;  iSq 

The  moon,  bright  regent,  leads  th'  immortal  train, 
And  walks  in  pride  imperial  round  the  plain. 

Now  climb'd  the  bands  the  mountain's  towering  height, 
And  o'er  the  fubjeft  region  caft  their  fight ; 
There  glifter'd  Gibeon's  domes  in  trembling  fires,      ig£ 
And  all  the  grandeur  of  a  thoufand  fpires. 
Beyond  her  walls,  a  far-extended  plain 
Spread,  like  the  fur  face  of  the  fleeping  main  : 
A  mighty  hoft  there  left  the  bounded  eye, 
And  loft  its  diftant  terrors  in  the  fky.  |  ;;> 

Full  in  th'  effulgence  of  the  morn's  broad  beam, 
Stretch'd  the  tremendous  front,  a  ridge  of  flame, 
Of  length  immeafurable.     Ether  wide 
Wav'd  with  a  thoufand  nations'  banner'd  pride  ; 
Tofs'd  in  gay  triumph,  lucid  enfigns  fhone,  195 

And  call  their  various  fplendor  on  the  fun  : 
Swift  round  the  region  dim-feen  chariots  roll'd  ; 
The  far  deeds  bounded  wrapp'din  twinkling  gold  , 
"With  fpcars  and  helms  adorn'd  of  countlefs  trains, 
Rofe  the  full  pompofconftellated  plains  ;  20 j 

And  proud  with  wanton  beams,  the  fun-bright  fhields 
Join'd  like  unnumbcr'd  moons,  and  dazzled  all  the  field?, 

Unmov'd,  great  Jofhua  round  him  caft  his  eyes. 
And  faw  th'  interminable  legions  rjfc  : 


BOOK      XI,  *79 

Then  thus,  while  Ifrael  hufti'd  in  filence  Hood,  205 

R'ang'd  injuft  ranks,  and  fac'd  the  field  of  blood, 

Behold,  on  yon  bright  plain,  embodied  Hands 

The  gather'd  force  of  all  Canaan's  lands  ! 

Gather'd  by  Heaven's  right  hand,  arid  fad  defpair, 

To  crown  our  arms,  and  (ink  in  one  dread  war  !  2  $9 

Hail  my  brave  fons,  with  me,  th'  immortal  day, 

That  opes  to  blifsful peace  the  glorious  way, 

The  hour,  long  number'd  in  impatient  (kies, 

The  morn,  ordain'd  with  every  pomp  to  rife, 

By  angels  watch'd,  by  Heaven's  dread  fignsledon,     215 

Sinai's  fierce  flames,  and  Jordan's  walls  of  (lone. 

Each  boundlefs  hope  let  yon  fair  field  infpire  : 
Each  warrior  kindle  with  a  leader's  fire : 
The  fpoiis  of  kingdoms  each  rapt  eye  behold  ; 
Enfigns  of  fame,  and  ihields  of  moony  gold  ;  220 

The  herds,  that  wanton  round  athouiand  rills; 
The  flocks,  that  whiten  on  a  thoufand  hills  ; 
The  corn,  all  verdant  o'er  unmeafur'd  plains  ; 
The  world,  where  fpring  with  fmiling  plenty  reigtss ; 
V/here  olives  fwell  ;  where  beauteous  figs  refine  ;        225 
And  warm,  and  purpling,  glows  the  cluftef'd  vine. 
This  day  ordains  them  ours :  this  mighty  day 
Through  realms  unknown  (hall  ftretch  our  potent  fway  ; 
Far  as  the  hills,  where  funs  begin  to  rife  ; 
Far  as  the  feas,  that  limit  evening  (kies  ;  23Q 

Till  fading  years  unloofethe  fleeping  grave, 
And  time's  laft  current  joins  th'  eternal  wave. 

There  too,  my  fons,  (hall  bound'iefs  glory  rife, 
And  yon  bright  field  of  conqueit  fill  the  (kies. 
Through  Ifrael's  future  tribes  the  tale  (hall  ring  ;        2J5 
The  fage  record  it,  and  the  prophet  ling  ; 
Oar  deeds,  our  honours,  wake  the  (lumbering  lyre  ; 
Warm  the  faint's  praife,  and  wake  the  hero's  fire; 
Rous'd  by  the  theme,  new  arts  of  virtue  grow  ; 
New  chiefs  break  forth,  and  rival  wonders  flow  ;        24.* 


aSo  BOOK      XT. 

Truth's  happy  Tons  rehearfe  in  raptur'd  ftrains, 
Far  through  all  climes,  and  ages,  Gibeon's  plains  ; 
To  morn's  etherial  hoft  new  blifs  be  given, 
And  human  triumphs  tune  the  harps  of  heaven. 

For  know,  when  darknefslafl  involv'd  the  ikies,      245 
I  faw  the  promis'd  land  in  vifion  rife. 
I  faw  fweet  peace  exalted  joys  unfold  ; 
Fair  towers  afcend,  and  temples  beam  in  gold  ; 
Kings,   fprung  from  Jacob's  lineage,  mount  the  throne, 
And  flretch  their  fway  to  year?  and  realms  unknown  ;  250 
Art  raife  her  fceptre  ;  wifdom's  light  revive, 
And  angel  Virtue  bid  our  glory  live. 
I  faw  Mefliah  bright  from  heaven  defcend, 
And  fpread  his  fway  to  earth's  remoteft  end  ; 
Deep  Gentile  darknefs  yield  to  light  reSn'd  ;  25- 

And  truth,  and  virtue,  flow  to  all  mankind. 
I  faw  the  world,  where  Powers  and  Seraphs  bright 
Shine  in  pure  robes,  and  rove  in  endlefs  light  ; 
Where,  in  new  youth,  the  patriarchs,  from  their  thrones 
Hail  a  long  Harry  train  of  heavenly  fons;  260 

Where  Abraham's  fteps  his  native  flties  fuftain, 
And  Mofes  raptur'd  meets  his  God  again. 

On  you,  my  fons,  thcfe  mighty  fcenes  fufpend  ; 
From  you  fhall  Ifrael's  fame  and  blifs  defcend  : 
From  you  (hall  princes,  heroes,  prophets  fpring  ;  25^ 

From  you  be  born  the  heaven-3ppointcd  king  j 
On  this  great  day  his  earthly  kingdom  fiand, 
Reach  thro'  all  times,  and  flow  to  every  land  ; 
To  blifs,  in  dilrantages,  nations  rife, 
The  world  ennoble,  and  expand  the  flcics :  270 

Rufti  then  to  ^!ory  ;   God's  tremendous  arm 
Moves  in  the  flnming  front,  and  guides  us  to  the  dorm. 

He  fpoke  :  a  (hout  convub'd  the  mountain's  brow, 
And  burn"  fonoroos  o'er  the  world  below  : 
t'ich  warrior  on  the  plain  in  fancy  flood,  27c. 

jiiovtkJbucit  whole  hofts  and  rnl'd  the  fccnes  of  blood  ; 


BOOK      XI.  2|| 

Each  on  his  falchion  call  a  frequent  eye, 

And  thought  it  blifs,  in  Ifrael's  caufe  to  die. 

As  fallen  clouds,  when  blafts  in  iilence  reft, 

Hang  black  and  heavy  on  the  mountain's  breaft;        28a 

Slow  link  the  volumes  down  its  hoary  fide, 

Shroud  all  the  cliffs,  and  roll  in  gloomy  pride  : 

At  once  the  winds  arife  ;  and  founding  rain 

Pours  with  impetuous  fury  o'er  the  plain: 

So  the  dark  holts  defcend  in  deep  array,  285 

And  o'er  the  champaign  drive  their  dreadful  way. 

From  the  far  plains,  great  Jabin's  eye  beheld 
The  fquadrons,  thickening  on  th£  diftant  field. 
For  when  from  Jofhua's  arm  his  hod  retired, 
Stung  by  difgrace,  with  fierce  refentment  fir'd,  290 

Some  future  fight  his  angry  thoughts  defign'd, 
To  glut  the  vengeance  of  his  haughty  mind. 
To  Gibeon's  fields  he  fleers  his  fuilen  courfe, 
Where  circling  kings  combin'd  their  gather'd  force  ; 
Chiefs  rufh'd  to  conqueft  from  a  thoufand  lands,         2^5 
Whirl'd  all  their  cars,  and  led  their  countlefs  bands. 
To  guide  their  ilrength  againft  their  dreaded  foes 
All  with  one  voice  the  mighty  hero  chofe. 
He,  pleas'd  once  more  to  rule  the  dreadful  plain, 
Survey'd  the  terrors  cf  th'  unnumber'd  train  ;  300 

Survey'd  ahoft,  beyqnd  his  wifhes  great, 
And  afk'd  the  gods  to  give  no  happier  fate. 
Jn  fplendid  arms  eonfefs'd  to  dreadful  view, 
To  final  fight,  to  final  fame,  he  drew  ; 
Full  on  his  fhicld,  with  various  forms  inrolPd,  305 

Oa  death,  or  cokqjjest— blaz'd  in  words  of  gold. 

In  fields  far  wait,  a  torrent,  with  rough  waves, 
The  rocky  more  with  endiefs  fury  laves. 
Here,  o'er  the  itream  high  banks  inajeftlc  hung, 
And  with  fed  murmurs  hollow  caverns  rung  ;  $i% 

There,  for  the  fquadrons,  ruming  to  th'  aifray, 
Smooth,  flopLig  meres  prepar'd  ancafy  way. 
Go 


ztfi  BO    C    K    xr. 

High  on  ihe  weftern  margin  of  the  floca, 
A  wall  of  fire,  Canaan's  millions  flood. 
Here  Jabin's  will  ordain'd  his  hoft  to  flay,  1  -  5 

Shields  join'd  with  (hields,  and  wedg'd  in  firm  array. 
For  well  he  knew,  when  Ifrael's  rufhing  force 
Up  the  rough  bank  fhould  urge  their  toilfome  courfe, 
Their  broken  ranks  would  fall  an  eafy  prey, 
.And  fame,  and  triumph,  clofeth'  important  day.        32.2 

Now  Ifrael's  hoft,  flow-moving  o'er  the  plain, 
ouccefliveroll'd,  as  waves  diffurb  the  main  ; 
In  every  face  a  fi'x'd,  calm  bravery  miriM; 
.And  not  a  hero  caft  a  look  behind. 

High  on  her  ramparts  Gibeon's  children  rof*,  32$ 

Survey'd  the  fields,  and  eyed  th'  impending  foes* 
Herein  fond  arms,  the  tender  Mother  bare 
The  babe,  fweet  offspring  of  her  anxious  care*, 
Hung  o'er  its  infant  charm?,  and  joy'd  to  trace 
The  fire's  lov'd  image  in  its  blooming  face  ;  33^ 

Then  on  the  combat  turned  a  boding  view, 
Wrung  her  white  ha'n'ds,  and  fned  the  gliftemng  dew. 
Here  the  gay  Child,  wirh  p'eas'd,  and  wondering  C] 
Catch'd  the  broad  ftarrdard,  teaming  in  the  iky  ; 
On  the  red  armcur  c;  *6  gaze,  3  fj 

And  rais'd  his  artlt-fsh:..  ark'd  the  fplerdidbh -.-. 

Here,  bath'din  tcarr,  ::nd  umlm'd  with  timorous  care, 
In  woe  more  lovely,  r.iourn'd  the  melting  Fair  ; 
&Jcr  GibeonJs  hoA  their  e>c.  ihcelfrht  rov'd. 
And  each,  mid  thou'anJ?.  trac'J  the  youth  flie  lov'd  : 
rond  hope,  crc  eve  gave  ch  tnu  ions  to  his  llcel, 
And  at  her  !  ftfdi  fell. 

Then  fear    prefects  him  weltering  on  the  plain, 
Soft,  healing,  female  aid  ifff]  lor'd  in  vain  ; 
Clos'd  \s  ere  tho.e  eyes,  that  \ eam'd  etherial  fire,  3    \ 

^low'd  with  ycung  joy,  or  lariguHh'd  fweet  deiire, 
t)umb  w?s  the  'dec,  that  evciy  with  could  move, 
Ar.'iiold  the  form,  that  Wlfc'd  ilffutter'd  love. 


BOOK      XL  z:: 

Here  hoary  Age  i^  new-born  pleafure  Hood, 

And  war's  dread  glories  fir'd  his  languid  blood  ;  35c 

Long-buried  years  rufh'd  forward  to  the  view; 

What  hefts  they  battled,  and  what  chiefs  they  flew  : 

£.ich  on  his  brethren  gaz'd  with  glad  furprize, 

And  the  great  fcul  flood  kindling  in  their  eves. 

From  northern  gates  her  dark  battalions  pour'd,      355 
And  many  a  Lero  fierce  to  combat  tower'd  ; 
His  warlike  thoufands  wife  Aradon  led, 
The  white  locks  trembling  o'er  his  ancient  head. 
Hail,  mighty  Chief !— -the  hoary  prince  began--- 
Favourite  of  God,  and  virtuous  friend  of  man  1  -5(1; 

Bled  be  thy  fteps,  that  bring  this  kind  .relief 
To  feeble  age,  and  folitary  grief. 
In  nelds  ofconfii&once  rejoie'd  f  flood, 
With  death  familiar,  and  with  fcenes  cf  blend. 
But  now  fad  age  my  head  baa  w-hiten'd  o'er ; 
This  palHed  arm  mml  wield  theiwerd  no  more. 
To  mourn,  to  weep  is  all  my  future  doom, 
Drawn  neat  to  death,  and  bending  o'er  the  tomb. 
Thefe  bands  thy  voice  obey  ,  in  dinger's  ueld 
Their  manly  bofoms  Dever  knew  to  yield  : 
Nor  will  their  feet,  long  tried  in  honour's  race. 
Now  learn  to  flee,  and  nrft  commence  difgrsce. 
But,  fix'd  to  death,  their  king,  their  land  to  (ave, 
All  force  will  hazard,  and  a-11  terrors  brave. 

When  round  the  hofi  [  turn  my  weeping  eye?,  37* 

And  gaze,  and  gaze,  my  foul,  with  anguifh,  cries 
Where,  where  is  Eiam  :  Oh,  may  no  fad  doom 
Compel  thee  to  a  fen's  untimely  tomb'! 
A  happierlife,  a  brighter  lot  be  thine  ; 
Tafte  all  the  rapturing  joys  that  once  were  mine.        3 So 
Fronxchildiefs  age  may  Heaven  his  chofen  fave, 
Nor  bring  thy  hoary  hairs  in  forrow  to  the  grave  ! 

Great  prince  !  the  Chief,  with  cheering  voice.,  replied- 
Thy  nation's  father,  and  thy  countr-'s  pride  ! 


i%l  BOOK      XI. 

Not  (mgly  thou  the  pangs  of  grief  haft  known  ;  3S3 

I  mourn  a  daughter,  as  thou  weep'ft  a  Con. 

From  hearts  too  fond,  Heaven  call'd  the  pair  away 

To  fields  of  blifs,  and  climes  of  lading  day. 

May  every  virtue  in  thybreaft  refine, 

Till  thofe  fair  climes,  and  all  that  blifs  be  thine.  39* 

But  now  retire,  where  yon  bright  chariot  Hands  ; 
Let  youth  and  vigour  lead  thy  warlike  bands, 
For  fee,  to  fight  Canaan's  millions  rife  ! 
And  hark,  what  clamors  rend  the  boundlefs  ikies  ! 

The  king  obey'd.     In  arms,  the  ardent  throng,        395 
Behind  Almiran,  darkly  ruiVd  along  ; 
Almiran,  Gibeon's  nobleft,  braveft  fbn, 
Led  the  bold  heroes,  and  like  lightning  fhorve. 

In  three  vail  fqnadrons  flood  the  heathens  ilrength, 
And  rofe  a  mighty  front  of  dreadful  length.  400 

O'er  northern  banks,  where  chariots  hoarfely  rung, 
Like  clouds  of  thunder,  haughty  Hebron  hung  : 
There  too  fierce  Eglon  ruiVd  with  dreadful  roar, 
Like  the  long  murmurs  of  the  ftjunding  ihore. 
Nor  feebler  legions  fill  the  fouthern  plain  ;  41  5 

There  Lachifh,  Jarmuth  there,  the  fight  fuftain ; 
To  the  dire  centre  numerous  nations  throng, 
And  Jabtn  guides  the  ftorm,  and  fwiftly  flames  along. 

With,  piercing  eyes  the  Chief  his  foes  deicried, 
And  bade  his  hoft  in  three  vail  fquarcs  divide.  410 

'Gainft  Lachifh  Gibeon  rolls  in  proud  arra\  ; 
'Gainft  Hebron  Afher  bends  a  dreadful  way  : 
As  fires  puri'ue  a  comet's  fanguine  form, 
Behind  great  Jofhua  drives  the  central  fiorm. 

Now  o'er  the  plain,  as  ccean  pours  his  tide,  415 

Their  llreaming  enfign*  rear'd  in  purple  pride, 
Far  north,  and  fouthward  fbetch'd  the  chefen  train, 
AnJ  croib'd  in  gloomy  pomp  the  creadfu)  plain. 
Near,  and  more  near,  th'  undaunted  warriors  drew  ; 
For  well  the  Chief,  by  fure  exfcriei.ee  knew  420 


BOOK        XI.  2S5 

That  nations,  taught  in  fudden  fight  to  rife, 

To  war  by  Health,  and  triumph  by  furprife, 

To  wiles,  vain- glorious,  fall  an  eafy  prey, 

r  r-d,  throng'd  in  tumult  wild,  arefwept  away. 

Thence,  near  the  foe  he  bade  the  fquadrons  move,       42; 

Tempt  with  keen  taunts,  and  with  proud  threatnings  prove, 

That  chiefs,  and  men,  with  childifh  rage  o'ercome, 

Might  quit  the  more,  and  hade  to  certain  doom. 

Now  near  the  ftream  the  facred  thoufands  flood, 
Their  breafts  all  panting  for  the  fcenes  of  blood.  430 

At  once,  as  fome  black  dorm  begins  to  rife, 
A  cloud  of  arrows  fill'd  the  weltern  fkies ; 
The  long,  afcending  gloom  all  heaven  o'erfpread, 
And  the  fields  darken'd  with  a  tranfient  fnade. 
Then  flones  on  (tones  tempeftuous  ether  pour'd  :  435 

And  darts  on  darts  in  quick  fucceffion  fhower'dc 
Now  here,  now  there,  expiring  warriors  fell, 
And  fhrill  beneath  them  rung  the  clafhing  fteel. 

At  once,  as  mov'd  by  fear,  the  Chief  withdrew, 
And  bade  his  hoft  the  diftant  walls  purfue.  44® 

With  joy,  the  heathens  eyed  their  backward  way, 
Rais'd  a  long  fhout,  and  fprang  to  feize  the  prey. 
Swift  rum'd  th'  exulting  thoufands  down  the  more; 
For  ranks  behind,  urg'd  on  the  ranks  before  ; 
Loud  ring  the  chariot?,  fwift  the  courfers  bound,  445 

And  a  deep  thunder  waves  along  the  ground. 

Around,  great  Jabin  cart  a  mournful  view, 
Andfaw  his  foes  retreat,  his  friends  purfue, 
Kis  laws  contemn'd,  that  bade  the  thoufands  (lay, 
Till  o'er  the  torrent  Ifrael  urg'd  their  way  ;  45 O 

Kenn'd  the  deep  fnare,  by  Jolhua  wifely  laid, 

And  tohimfelf  with  fighs  thus  fiercely  faid 

I  fee,  proud  chief,  I  fee  thy  profperous  wiles  ; 

On  me  fate  frowns  ;  on  thee  propitious  frailes ; 

But  not  alone  I  prove  the  general  doom  ;  455 

Ten  thoufand  gholls  mall  meet  me  at  the  tomb : 


ptf  BOOK      XI. 

Aveng'd,  and  happy  to  the  (hades  I'll  go, 
To  bid  thy  princes  quake  in  realms  below. 
Thus  fpoke  the  king,  and  deem'd  his  ruin  nigh, 
A  fearful  vengeance  reddening  in  his  eye  ; 
Strong,  fell  defpair  in  P.  am' J  his  eager  look  ; 
,His  bands  gaz'd  trembling,  and  his  princes  {hook. 

Meantime  with  fmiles  the  facred  Chief  beheld 
Kis  foes  nilh  headlong  o'er  th'  embattled  field  ; 
A:  once  his  piercing  voice  reftrain'd  the  flight,  46^ 

W^eelM  his  long  ranks,  and  marihall'd  to  the  fight. 
At  once  the  trump's  tremendous  blait  afcends 
The  plains  all  ihudcer,  and  the  concave  rends  ; 
Loud  as  the  flornVs  ten  thoufand  thunders  rife, 
A  fhoutunmeafurM  rocks  the  lands  and  Ikies  ; 
Jlgain  high  heaven  is  gloom'd  with  ftony  fhowers  ; 
Again  all  ether  darts  unnumber'd  pours ; 
With  deep  convulfion  roars  theclofmg  war  ; 
Fierce  bounds  the  fteed  ;  fonorous  rolls  the  car  ; 
With  one  broad  ruin  heaves  the  earth  amain,  4-^ 

And  Night,  and  Death,  and  Horror,  fhroud  the  plain. 
So  pours  a. florm  on  Greenland's  frozen  fhore  ; 
The  hoarfe  winds  rage  ;  the  maddening  billows  roar ; 
When  bpundiefs  darknefs  wraps  the  realms  on  high, 
And  flaming  meteors  ft.- earn  acrofs  the  fky  :  480 

Huge  ifies  of  raging  ice,  together  driven, 
With  buriting  thunder  rend  air,  fea,  ar.d  heaven  : 
Rocks  rife  o'er  rocks  ;  o'er  mountains  mountains  roH, 
And  the  world  trembles  to  the  diflant  pole. 
Thus  o'er  the  field  the  dreadful  tumult  grows  ;  4S5 

Alike  impetuous,  foes  encounter  foes  ; 
Where  Aftier's  fons  proud  Hebrow's  hod  engage  ; 
Or  where  bold  Gibcon  pours  her  torrent  r-», 
Or  where,  around  the  Chief,  immingled  rif; 
Triumphant  clamours,  and  expiring  cries.  4^D 

Long  roar'd  the  tumult  of  the  dubious  right, 
And  nobufc  coward  wiih'd  inglorious  flight  : 


BOOK      XL 

All  fierce  to  combat  rufh'd  tV  undaunted  trari  ? 
Nor  thefe  the  palm  would  lofe,  nor  thofe  could  gain  ; 
Till  cloth'din  terror,  Jofhua's  dreadful  arm  49  T- 

£egan  the  triumph,  and  led  on  the  ftorm. 

Two  chiefs,  whofe  filver  arms  confefs'd  their  fway» 
Rais'd  their  broad  buklers  in  his  fateful  way. 
By  their  fair  wives  a  common  fire  they  claim' d  ; 
And  Medan  this,  and  Talmon  that,  was  nam'd  ;  £G$| 

Of  royal  race,  from  Salem's  wall  they  came. 
Their  deeds  juft  budding  in  tiSe  field  of  fame. 
Cleft  through  the  fide  brave  Nfedah  gafping  fdl ; 
And  Talmon  trembling  fled  the  lifted  fteel. 
By  his  own  friends  a  javelin  fwiftly  hurl'd  cc; 

Flung'd  his  freed  fpirit  to  the  nether  world  ; 
Far  round  the  field  a  fhout  of  joy  afcends, 
And  groans  re-murmur  from  his  fadden'd  friends. 

Then  fvvift  the  Hero  wheel 'd  his  flaming  fword  ; 
Like  mountain  ftreams  his  hoft  behind  him  pour'd  ;     5 13 
Loudroar'd  the  thunders  of  the  dreadful  plain, 
Ilock'd  the  tall  groves,  and  flll'd  th'  etherial  main  : 

Increasing  horror  rent  the  world  around, 

And  ileeds,and  cars,  and  warriors  mingled  on  the  groyne. 
Now  near  the  ilream  approach'd  the  founding  war,  51 5 

When  fierce  to  combat  roll'd  a  fplendid  car ; 

There  giant  Zedeck  rofe  in  dreadful  view  ; 

Two  furious  fteeds  the  mighty  monarch  drew  ; 

With  wild  impetuous  rage,  they  foam'd  along, 

And,  pale  before  them,  fled  the  parting  throng.  5^ 

From  Jofhua's  courfe  he  faw  his  bands  retire  ; 

His  reddening  afpedl  flafh'd  a  gloomy  fire  ; 

With  huge,  hoarfe  voice  the  furious  hero  cried, 

"While  the  plain?  rriurmur'd,  and  the  groves  replied, 

Whatever  wretch  from  this  bright  combat  flies,  $2^ 

By  the  juft  gods,  the  impious  daftard  dies. 

Nor  hope  to  'fcape  the  keen,  avenging  blade 

In  the  f>ill  cot,  or  in  the  lonely  made. 


)S*  BOOK      XI. 

Soon  (hall  this  (Word,  with  victory  crown'd,  return  ; 
And  wrath,  and  vengeance,  all  your  dwellings  burn  ;  530 
Your  bodies,  limb  from  limb,  this  arm  fhall  tear, 
Nor  fons,  nor  wives,  nor  fires,  nor  infants,  fpare  ; 
But  bid  the  hungry  hawks  your  race  devour, 
And  call  grim  wolves  to  feaft  in  floods  of  gore. 

He  fpoke  ;  aftoniuYd,  fome  more  nimbly  flew  ;         53$ 
And  fome  to  conflict  with  frem  ardour  drew  ; 
Defpaironce  more  the  growing  flight  repell'd, 
And  gave  new  horrors  to  the  gloomy  field. 

Meantin>*  on  Jofhua  drove  the  founding  car, 
And  burft  impetuous  through  the  thickeft  war,  54.O 

Rough,  heavy,  dreadful,  by  the  giant  thrown 
Flew  the  vaft  fragment  of  a  craggy  (tone  ; 
Scarce  'fcap'd  the  wary  Chief,  with  fudden  bound, 
While  the  broad  ruin  piow'd  the  crumbling  ground. ' 
A  javelin  then  the  monarch's  hand  impelPd,  545 

That  fung,  and  trembled,  'g'ainft  the  Hero's  fhield  ; 
Swift  o'er  his  head  a  fecond  hiffing  flies, 
And  a  piere'd  warrior  groans,  and  falls,  and  dies. 
At  once  great  Jofhua  rais'd  his  reeking  fvvord, 
A.nd  with  deep  wounds  the  maddening  courfers  gor'd ; 
Through  cleaving  ranks  the  courfers  backward  flew,  551 
And  fwift  from  fight  the  helplefs  monarch  drew. 
To  the  high  fhore,  impendent  o'er  the  flood, 
They  ruuYd,  as  whirlwinds  fweep  the  rending  wood  ; 
To  turn  they  tried,  with  fhort  and  fudden  wheel  ;        555 
Hut  tried  in  vain  ;   the  founding  chariot  fell. 
Prone  down  the  lofty  bank  the  fleeds  purfued, 
Where  fharp,  and  ragged  rocks  beneath  were  iirew'd  ; 
All  (brill  the  giant'?  linking  mail  refounds : 
With  clattering  crafh,  the  cracking  car  rebounds  ;       560 
White  o'er  his  lifelefs  head  the  waters  roar--- 
Lofl  in  the  ilream,  and  doom'd  to  rife  no  more.  --- 
As,  when  the  fouth's  fierce  blails  the  main  deform, 
And;  oil  the  pcalful  onlet  of  tne  ilorm  ; 


£    O    O   K     xt  %%$ 

Hung  are  the  heavens  with  night ;  the  world  around, 

Deep-murmuring,  trembles  to  the  folemn  found  ;        566 

Fail  on  dread  tonga's  wild-refounding  more 

Pliiis,  wav'd  o'er  hills,  afcend,  and  burit,  and  roar  : 

Safe  in  his  cot,  the  hoary  Tailor  hears, 

Or  drops,  for  fancied  wrecks,  unbidden  tears,  570 

A  boundlefs  moot,  from  lfraei's  raptur'd  train, 

Rent  the  broad  flues,  and  mock  the  dreadful  plain, 

For  now,  their  champion,  truft,  and  glory  loft, 

•:From  jofhua's  vengeance  flew  fad  Salem's  hoft  ; 
Before  him  nought  avail 'd  the  fhields,  and  fpears,       575 
But  chiefs,  and  foaming  fteedi,  and  rattling  cars, 
Ranks  urging  ranks,  fruadroris  o'er  fquadrons  borne, 
Down  the  bank  plung'd  ;   the  b2nk  behind  them  tome, 
.Sunk  with  a  rufhing  found  :  great  Jofhua's  arm 
Uplifted,  imminent  impell'd  the  ftorm,  580 

Alert,  he  bounded  on  the  yielding  fand; 
And  fcatter'd  ruin  frorri  his  red  right  hand. 
The  white  waves  foan'd  around  his  midway  fide, 

'  As  fierce  he  thundered  thro*  the  rufhing  tide. 
Two  blooming  youths,  E'e  dafh'd  againft  the  reck,      583 
Where  Zedeck's  chariot  felt  the  fatal  mock  ; 
Their  gufhing  blood  ran  purple  thro'  the  wave, 
And  thcufands  with  them  found  a  watery  grave. 

Tr^e,  mid  vile  throngs,  t'  untimely  fate  a  prey, 
Young,  generous  Egon  breath'd  his  foul  away.  59O 

Him  Salem's  nymphs  refunded  thro'  the  vales, 
Or  fung  melodious,  to  refponfive  gales. 
He,  from  the  mountain  wilds,  and  cliffs  fublime, 
Untrod,  uncultur'd,  from  the  firft  of  time> 
Drove  the  fierce  beafts,  by  arms  and  arts  conipell'd,    595 
To  feelc  their  fafety  in  the  lowland  field. 
By  Barnes  unclos'd,  by  hounds  and  f.vains  purfued, 
They  fled  each  faftnefs  of  th'  impervious  wood  ; 

~  AmbuuYd,  in  vales  beneath  thefavage  prey 
RuuVd  on  the  fpeaf,  and  yell'd  their  lives  away,         6o© 


2$o  3    O    O    K      XI. 

Then  howling  wilds  the  traveller  ceas'd  t'  appall ; 
Then  night  fpread  harmlefs  round  th'  unguarded  Hall 
His  flocks,  the  riling  (wain  withjpy  furvey'd, 
And  flaughter'd  lambs  defil'd  no  more  the  glade. 
Egon,  each  pipe,  each  voice  of  muiicfang  ;  605 

And  Egon's  glory  courts  and  caverns  rung  : 
But  pafs'd  was  all  his  fame  j  by  Jofhua's  hand 
Plung'd  in  the  flream,  and  choak'd  with  furging  fand, 
While  from  the  bank  the  warriors  leap'd  amain, 
Crufh'd,  drown'd,  he  mingled  with  the  numerous  flain.6 10 
♦    On  the  iteep,  we  item  bank  all  Hazor  Hood  ; 
A  cloud  of  fire,  high-towering  o'er  the  flood  : 
Their  darts  unnumber'd  IfraeFs  hofl  invade, 
And  many  an  eye  is  clos'd  in  death's  dark  (Lade. 
Swift  down  the  ihore  a  rock  with  fury  fell,  615 

And  crufh'd  two  warriors,  wrapp'd  in  mining  Heel  : 
Near  Jofhua's  fteps  the  craggy  ruin  pour'd ; 
The  Hero  fprang  ;   the  foaming  torrent  roar'd. 
Then  Hones  on  ftones,  with  founding  tsmpeil  driven, 
Fill'd  the  wide  concave  of  the  trolled  heaven  :  620 

Beneath  their  fhields  the  prudent  warriors  flood  ; 
All  ether  rang  and  foam'd  the  reddening  flood  ; 
'Till  mighty  Jofhua,  breathing  wide  difmay, 
Swift  down  the  racing  torrent  drove  his  way. 
Whore  fouthward  waves,  expanding  ceas'd  to  roar, 
The  (beam  wa>  bounded  by  a  Hoping  fhore. 
Hither  the  hero  bent   his  awful  courfe  ; 
X lis  hofl  behind  him  pour'd  ihcir  mighty  force  ; 
Fierce  up  the  more  he  j-ufh'd  ;  a  dreadful  band 
Throng'd  round  their  cnief,  and  daiken'd  all  the  ftrand. 
Here  brave  Almlrun,  like  a  fweepiag  fire,  631 

f  XJrgM  his  dread  path,  and  bade  his  foes  expire. 
Tall  in-  the  gloomy  van,  the  hero  fped, 
And  Lachifh  pale  before  him  Ml  or  fled  : 
Such  fiery  terrors  round  his  Vifage  glow'd  ;  6}$ 

Such  Ureamiof  lia.  Ichita  flowM. 


B    O    X)    K      XL  *9* 

'Till,  generous  youth,  an  arrow  fcvnrd  thy  fide, 

And  down  thy  armour  gufh'd  the  living  tide. 

Thy  fire'  had  grafp'd  his  long-negle&ed  (hield, 

And  follow'd,  trembling,  to  the  deathfal  field  :  640 

There  on  thy  deed-  he  caft  an  anxious  view  ; 

There    touch'd  with  tranfport,  felt  his  youth  renew  ; 

Then  faw  thee  falling,  pale;  depriv'd  of  breath, 

Plung'd  on  the  foe,  and  funk  in  whelming  death. 

The  youths  great'  jofliua  caught  in  friendly  arms,   645 
His  lhielJ  averting  war's  impendent  harms  ; 
Chaf'd  by  his  hand,  again  he  op'd  his  eyes ; 
His  lips  refpir'd  ;   his  bloom  began  to  rife. 
Then  Gibeon's  Tons  the  mighty  Leader  fir'd, 
And  forrow  prompted,  and  revenge  infpir'd.  650 

Now  drefs'd  in  golden  pride,  to  crimfon  war, 
Tall,  beauteous  Piram  drove  his  fhining  car. 
Born  in  the  ftillnefs  of  a  court  ferene, 
Where  peace,  and  pleafure  led  the  jocund  fcene, 
He  loath'd  dire  fight,  to  gentler  thoughts  inclined  ;     655 
And  love,  and  mufic,  charm'd  his  feeling  mind. 
Soft  pity 'touch'd  his  heart  ;  and  oft  a  tear 
He  dropp'd,  and  mourn'clthe  human  doom  Ctvere  ; 
TK'  unnumber'd  ills  of  wafting  pride  would  rue, 
And  wiih  that  kings  the  fweets  of  friendmip  knew.      6Cy 
Yet,  not  of  fervilekind,  his  thoughts  had  foar*d,' 
In  brighter  days,  and  Art's  fair  realms  explor'd, 
Such  was  his  foul,  as  grace  from  heaven  refin'd 
Can  warm,  and  ripen,  to  an  angel's  mind. 

To  combat  now  the  prince  reluctant  rode,  66$ 

V/hen  full  before  him  Ifraei's  Leader  flood. 
Pleas'd,  he  beheld  the  graceful  form  afcend, 
And  wilVd  the  gods  had  made  the  Chief  Ins  friend. 
But  vain  his  wifhes ;  by  the  Kero  thrown, 
Full  on  his  forehead  burfts  a  founding  ftone,  Gj}} 

He  fell  ;  his  courfers  backward  rufh'd  amain 
And  fnatch'd  the  monarch  o-er  the  cloudy  plain, 


*$z  BOOK      XL 

Hishaplefs  fall  pale  Jarmuth's  fons  beheld  ; 
Grief  froze  their  hearts,  and  fear  their  nerves  congeal'd 
The  Chief  purfues  ;  their  trembling  bands  retire;      675 
l^eep  groans  afqend,  and  troops  on  troops  expire; 
Wide  rolls  the  dud  ;  the  Ikies  are  fnatch'd  from  fight, 
And  death  hangs  dreadful  o'er  the  growing  fight. 

There,  thron'd  in  ftate,  and  drefs'd  in  burnifh'd  flee1, 
Lachiih'  fair  prince,  japh-ia,  haplefs  fell.  68a 

He  bade  fqft  fongs  awake  the  trembling  lyre, 
"With  notes  of  magic,  and  with  words  of  fire  ; 
Such  fongs,  as  Mofes,  uninfpir'd,  might  fing  ; 
Like  him,  a  bard,  a  fcero,  and  a  king. 
But  far  beyond  the  pride  of  pomp,  and  power,  685 

He  lov'd  the  realms  of  nature  to  explore  ; 
With  lingering  gaze,  Edenian  fpring  furveyM  ; 
Morn's  fairy  fp'endors,  night's  gay  curtain'd  fhade  ; 
The  high  hoar  cliff;  the  grove's  benighting  gloom  ; 
The  wild  rofe,  widow'd,  o'er  the  mouldering  tomb  ;  690 
The  heaven-embofom'd  fun  ;  the  rainbow's  die, 
Where  lucid  forms  difport  to  fancy's  eye. 
When  rous'd  to  war,  and  deeds  of  deathlefs  name, 
Faint  fhone  to  him  the  charms  of  martial  fame  : 
But  fir'd  to  ecftacy,  his  foul  beheld  69^ 

The  ftormy  grandeur  of  the  troubled  field  : 
The  morn,  that  trembles  o'er  the  iteel -bright  pfeini  ; 
The  whirlwind  car,  wing'd  ileed,  and  clafhing  trains. 
Such  fcenes  the  warrior  fung.      The  fwains  around 
Hung  on  th'  enchantment  of  the  wildering  found  :        70(1 
Soft  o'er  the  lyre  the  voice  of  mullc  pafs'd, 
Wild  as  the  woodland  warblings  of  the  vvaHe  ; 
Bach  favage  foften'd,  as  the  numbers  rofc, 
Jorfook  his  falchion,  and  forgot  his  foes. 

As  dread  before  him  glow'd  the  Hero's  face,  70$ 

Jiis  angel  pomp,  and  heaven-defcended  grace  ; 
Kc  ftopp'd;   he  gaz'd  ;   and  with  fond  fancy  warm, 
Glued  ta  t^e  folemn  glories  o£his  torn  ; 


b  o  o  k  xk  m 

Swift  through  his  bofom  drove  the  deadly  fpear, 

And  all  his  beauteous  dreams  diffolv'd  in  air.  SXO 

Meantime  far  north  the  Tons  of  A  (her  pour'd, 
A  <  fierce  to  combat  chiefs  and  heroes  tower'd: 
There,  like  a  whirlwind,  rapid  Zimri  flew, 
And,  like  a  tempeft,  CQuntlefs  bands  purfue  : 
Clouds  after  clouds  behind  him  darkly  roll,  71$ 

And  mouts  of  glory  heave  the  murmuring  pole. 

As  when  two  feas,  by  winds  together  hurl'd, 
With  burfting  fury  fhakethe  folid  world  ; 
Waves  pil'd  o'er  waves,  the  watery  mountains  rife, 
And  foam,  and  roar,  and  rage,  againft  the  Ikies  :       720 
Sojoin'd  the  combat ;  ranks,  o'er  ranks  impell'd, 
Swell'd  the  hoarfe  tumult  of  the  hideous  field  ; 
Black  drifts  of  duft  becloud  the  gloomy  ground  ; 
Hoarfe  groans  afcend,  and  clafhingarms  refound. 
And  now,  where  Zimri  broke  th'  embodied  war,        725 
imperious  Hoham  drove  his  founding  car  ; 
Like  flames,  his  rapid  courfes  rufh'd  along, 
Forc'd  a  red  path,  and  crufh'd  the  thickening  throng  : 
His  hilling  lances  fhower'd  deftruclion  round,* 
Andllrcaming  bodies  ftrew'd  the  crimfon  ground.       730 
With  joy,  bold  Zimri  kenn'd  the  prince  afar 
And  wing'd  his  javelin  thro'  the  flaming  air  ; 
Deep  in  his  throat  was  lodg'd  th1  avenging  fleet  ; 
With  groans,  the  monarch  panting,  ilruggling,  fell  : 
The  fword  indignant  gafh'd  his  cleaving  fide,  735 

Freed  the  pale  ghoft,  and  pour'd  the  vital  tide. 

With  mouts  of  triumph  fwell'd  th'  etherial  main, 
And  new.convulfions  mook  the  ftarmy  plain. 
The  cars  rufVd  backward  ;  foaming  courfers  bound  ; 
The  fnrill  fwords  clafh,  and  hollow  groans  refound.     74Q 
'Twixt  the  long  banks  remurmuring  clamors  roar, 
And  eyes  unnumber'd  wifh  the  fartheft  more. 
As,  fwell'd  with  rains,  th'  autumnal  ltream  afcends, 
Ifcaaiso'er  the  rocks,  and  all  the  mountain  rends., 


2'9V  BOO    !0     XL 

Heav'd  deep,  with  groans  th'  uprooted  foreft  yield?',    745 

And  huge,  unwieldy  oaks    plunge  cumbrous  to  the  held*  ; 

So  furious  Amer,  with  refiftiefs  fway, 

On  Hebron  uuriting  broke  a  dreadful  way  ; 

Swift  o'er  th  3  /ioods  the  warriors  eager  fly, 

And  fteeds,  and  men,  on  earth  immrngkd  lie.  750* 

On  thefe  dire  fcenes  great  Jabiri  caft  his  view, 
And  faw  his  friends  retire,  his  foes  purfue, 
Then,  while  the  fcorm  of  war  brave  Zedeck  bore, 
He  whirl'd  his  chariot  down  the  wefiern  more. 
As,  ftain'd  with  blood,  a  meteor's  midnight  beam      755 
Gleaves  the  dun  clouds,  and  trails  a  length  of  flame ; 
At  once^with  dreadful  burlt,  its  terrors  fly, 
And  a  deep  thunder  rocks  the  ihuddering  flcy  : 
So,  thron'd  tremendous  in  his  fun-bright  car, 
RuuYd  the  impetuous  Hero  to  the  war  ;  760 

Loud  to  their  ears  his  voice  terrific  came, 
And  his  fierce  eyeballs  flafh'd  a  withering  flame--- 
Roufe,  roufe  to  fight,  to  triumph  bend  your  way  ; 
Nor  yield  thefe  flaves  the  wifh'd  immortal  day. 
Shall  Hebron's  fons,  that  never  knew  to  fly,  765 

Now  turn  inglorious,  and  like  daftards  die  ? 
Let  all  your  antient  deeds  each  foul  infpire, 
And  each  bo'.L  warrior  emulate  his  fire. 
This  hour  propitious  brings  the  glorious  doom. 
And  fweeps  thefe  wretches  to  the  coward's  tomb.         770 

He  fpoke,  and  furious,  with  refittlefs  force 
Burft  on  his  foe?  and  ftopp'd  their  eager  courfe  : 
All  Hebron  round  him  fw if c  to  conflict  turn'd, 
New  life  inforrn'd  them,  and  new  bravery  burn'd  ; 
Squadrons  on  fquidrons  wedp'd  their  deep  array,  775 

And  darker  horrors  gloom'd  the  dreadful  dav. 
Him  Uanniel  faw  ;   for  here  in  fierccft  fi^ht 
With  joy  he  mingled,  :<nd  difdain'd  bafc  flight. 
No  griding  anguifh  now  his  limb  diftrefs'd  ; 
No  thought,  but  glory,  triumph'd  in  his  breaft  ;  78* 


BOOK      XI.  .285 

Chiefs  to  his  arm  had  given  the  parting  breath, 
And  vulgar  warriors  ftain'd  his  {word  with  death, 
Alive,  impetuous,  burn'd  the  martial  flame, 
:And  every  hope  beat  high  for  endlefs  fame. 
.  On  Jabin's  car  th'  undaunted  warrior  flew  :  7S5 

The  car,  like  whirlwinds. near  him  fwiftly  drew. 
This  the  blefs'd  hour  the  hero  deem'd  to  gain 
The  garland,  wiih'd.fo  long,  but  wifh/d  in  vain. 
The  Chief  of  foes  his  raptur'd  eye  furvey'd, 
The  deftin'd  victim  of  his  conquering  blade.  75^ 

No  fear  diiurb'd,  left  combat's  fickle  doom 
Should  change  the  lot,  and  ope  another's  tomb: 
He  fmil'd,  from  Jofliua  fure  the  palm  to  win, 
And  felt  freih  honours  round  his  temples  twine. 
At  once,  by  Jabin's.  hand  like  lightening  driven,        jg$ 
Afpear  flew  nimbly  through  the  dully  heaven  ; 
Deep  in  his  forehead  funk  th'  unerring  iteel; 
Without  a  graa«  the  haughty  warrior  fell  : 
"No  foul  more  rcftltfs  e'er  frcri  earth  rerir'd, 
Nor  pride  irore  boundlefs  e'er  in  dud  expir'd.  8cq 

A&,  jwhen  bold  youths,  the  mount's  dim  fumraltgain'd* 
Upheave  t   a  huge,  hoar  cxagj  with  toiifome  hand; 
From  po1:    to  point  th'  unwieldy  ruin  tofs'd,      • 
Smokes  d    vn  the  iteep,  an     grinds  the  cliffs  to  dud; 
High  bou  king  he  id  long,  feeks  the  plain.     8oj 

Cteaves  r1  \  torne  grdund,  1  nd  plows  the  foaming  main  ; 
Far  plunge  the  crafliing  pies  ;  the  wild  rocks  roar, 
Harl'd  wifii  tumwitaous  fur)  to  the  fhore  ; 
Y>    le-n       rg  duft  r.  e  neighbouring  concave  fills, 
And  along,  fiddling  roar  run   murmuring  round  the  hills, 
So  down  i:.e  bank,  tremendous  Jabin's  car  81  x 

Urg'd  the  pale  th'cpBg,  and  drove  the  founding  war: 
His  foes  plung'd  headlong  in  ike  c'rimfon  wave, 
And  chiefs,  and  warriors,  found  a  liquid  grave. 

While  thus  in  dre  1    the  hofts  engag'd,  815 

The  tumults  thicken'vi,  and  the.  clamours  rag/d  j 


a*$i  boo  ii    it 

From  Jofnua's  terrors  Hazor's  Tons  withdrew. 

And  di£ant  from  the  more  their  front  renew. 

With  hideous  ftrength,  their  ridgy  lines  afcend  ; 

Red  flame  the  fhields;  fwords  tremble;  fpears  protend  • 

Pleas'd,  the  Chief  views;  too  generous  not  to  know,  821 

.And  own,  with  praife,  the  merit  of  a  foe. 

From  a  tall  rock  he  call  his  flaming  eyes, 
.And  faw  the  varied  fcenes  of  combat  rife. 
While  every  foe  bold  Gibeon  fiercely  drove ;  $2$ 

The  tribes  of  Zimri  backward  flowly  move  : 
Tow'rd  the  high  Walls  afcending  volumes  roll, 
And  clouds  on  clouds  fuccemve  wrap  the  pole. 
Greatly  ferene,  he  view'd  the  threatening  doom, 
Nor  vcil'd  his  vifage  with  a  transient  glc^m  ; 
Bat  bade  his  chiefs,  their  bands  for  fight  array'd, 
Lead  on  the  war,  and  Haror's  hoft  invade. 

Then,  where  the  fields  difplay'd  an  eafy  courfe, 
Along  the  more  he  wing'd  his  rapid  force  ; 
Swift  as  a  tempeft  down  the  bank  he  flies,  2?' 

Cuts  the  red  ilream,  and  lifts  tremendous  cries--- 
Heavens !  what  diilionour  pains  this  bleeding  eye  ? 
See,  loll  to  fhame,  my  friends,  my  heroes  fly  ! 
Turn,  turn  to  triumph  ;  fwift  to  glory  turn  ; 
With  generous  lhame  let  every  bofoni  burn  !  $±q 

'  Shall  your  brave  fires,  that  never  knew  to  flee, 
With  pangs  your  flight,  and  tarnilVd  honour,  fee  ; 
And  willi  high  Heaven  had  lent  a  milder  doom, 
And  fwept  them  ehildlefs  to  an  earlier  tomb  ? 
Chall  Dan,  (lull  Afhc,  names  of  long  tcrrown,  S  \~ 

Now  lofe  thefplendors  of  a  deathlefs  crown  ! 
Forbid  it  Heaven  !   now  wipe  the  hateful  ftain  ; 
One  bold  exertion  wins  th'  immortal  plain. 

He(poks:  at  once,  unrurl'd  in  glorious  pride, 
The  focred  ftandard  call  the  vie.v  kfiJe  ;  S5C 

There  D.in'.s  bright  eagle,  high  in  pomp  difplay'd, 
Stretch'dJiil  lonr  wings,  and  rear' J  his  golden  he;*J  \ 


BOOK      Xi.  297 

Of  gold  his  form  in  lucid  triumph  turn'd, 

And  flreamy  lightnings  round  him  fiercely  burn'd. 

At  once  all  Afher  furious  rufh'd  to  fight,  855 

Each  ardent  warrior  fpurn'd  inglorious  flight. 

With  wider  ruin  lieave  the  trembling  fields  ; 

Cars  burfl;  cries  roar  ;  groans  murmur  ;  found  the  fhields, 

As  in  fomeforeft  two  red  flames  afpire, 

And  whelm  huge  pines  in  Roods  of  furging  fire,  8co> 

Then  fwift  through  falling  groves  together  driven 

Roll  o'er  the  mountain  tops,  and  kindle  heaven  : 

So,  fierce  and  dreadful,  front  to  front  oppos'd, 

Mid  clouds  of  duft,  the  thundering  fcuadrons  clos'd  :    864 

Earth  (hakes ;  air  rends  ;  the  trembling  ikies  refound, 

And  night,  and  fad  difmay,  invade  th'  embattled  ground. 

For  war  undaunted  Hebron  fiercely  burn'd, 
Nor  even  in  Jofhua's  path  to  flight  were  turn'd. 
Full  on  his  fword  they  ruth'd,  and  bravely  fell  ; 
New  bands  with  trafcfport  fac'dthe  ilaughtering  ftcel. 
IncefTant  cries  o'er  all  the  combat  rung  ;  871 

IncefTant  fpears  tnrough  darken'd  ether  fung  ; 
Swift  flew  the  courfer  ;  fwift  the  raging  car  ; 
Hoarfe  rofe  the  tumult  of  the  maddening  war  : 
Lefs  loud  through  forefts  winds  impetuous  roll,  875 

The  huge  pines  fink,  and  temped  rends  the  pole  : 
Lefs  loud  'gainft  Zembla  mountain  billows  roar, 
When  the  ftorm  thunders  on  the  Frozen  more. 
For  Hebron's  thoufands  jabin's  voice  infpir'd* 
And  jofhua's  deeds  the  fons  of  IfracI  nr'd.  ggo 

Now  where  the  Chief  terrific  fwept  the  field, 
And,  cloth'd  in  terror,  ranks  on  ranks  repell'd  ; 
Whilft  a  red  deluge  o'er  his  footfteps  fpread, 
And  countlefs  torrents  fpouted  from  the  dead  ; 
Swift  to  his  path  a  chief  of  Afher  ran,  £$5 

Wild  with  difmay,  and  quivering  thus  began--- 
Wing,  wing,  thou  belt  of  men,  thy  friendly  p«ah— 
Oh  fare  the  hero,  or  avenge  his  death!-— 
Oil 


2-3  BOOK      XT. 


Now  Zimrl  dies ;  from  yon  afcending  ground, 

I  favv  fierce  Jabin  point  the  fatal  wound---  893 

He  fpoke  ;  at  once,  from  all  the  Heathen  train, 

A  voice  of  thunder  heav'd  th' affrighted  plain: 

Loud  as  hoarfe  whirlwinds  torrent  flames  infpire, 

When  up  the  mountains  rolls  tempeltuous  fire  ; 

Loud  as  th'  Almighty's  voice, through  ether  driven,   895. 

Pales  the  wide  world,  and  makes  the  walls  of  heaven  ; 

Long  fhouts  tremendous  from  the  fields  arife, 

Burn"  o'er  the  hofts,  and  rend  the  clouded  ikies. 

Through  Ifrael's  thoufands  thrills  a  dire  alarm, 

When  thus  great  J'ofhua  nerves  each  fainting  arm-—  9CO' 

Urge,  my  brave  warriors,  urge  the  glorious  Arife  ; 

"Wheel  your  red  fwords,  and  J'ave  the  leader's  life — 

Shall  Zimri  die,  whilft  each  aflonifh'ditands, 

Nor  fees  thefe  falchions  ufelefs  in  our  hands  ? 

Alive  the  fainting  hero  meets  my  fight,  905 

And  yet  maintains  the  folitary  fight---* 

He  fpoke,  and  furious  wheel'd  his  dreadful  fword  ; 
Back  rolFd  the  heathens  ;   ftreams  of  daughter  pour'd  : 
Behind  him  Alhcr's  holt  in  deep  array 
Throng'd  darkening;  clouds  and  death  involv'd  their  way  ; 
The  bounding  fleeds  bedew'd  their  hoofs  in  blood,       91 1 
And  chiefs  and  monarchs  fwell'd  the  purple  flood. 

Now,  where  bold  Zimri  brav'd  the  deathful  ground, 
O'erhung  with  foes,  and  pierc'd  with  many  a  wound, 
Whilft  labouring,  panting,  heav'd  his  frequent  breath, 
And  o'er  his  helmet  flafiVd  defcending  death  ;  916 

Great  Jofliua,  flaming,  drove  th*  embattled  train  ; 
Their  lances  flew,  their  falchions  rag'd  in  vain. 
])ire  as  a  peal  of  thunder  fweeps  the  ikies, 
He  rufli'J.  and  D<  ath  (ate  frowning  in  his  eyes :  929 

For  now  brave  Zimri  fcarce  fuilain'd  the  ilrife; 
Sunk  on  one  knee,  and  wifh'd  to  fell  his  life. 
Thro'  the  thick  tumults  of  the  broken  war 
Jrrpcuious  Jabiri  wing'd  his  rapid  car  -, 


BOOK      XL"  zqq 

With  ruddy  beams  his  lance  uplifted  (hone  ;  .925 

Mis  waving  buckler  mock'd  the  fanguinefun; 
'Twixt  the  bold  chiefs,  undaunted  at  the  ftorra, 
Sublime  great  Jofhua  rear'd  his  mighty  form. 

Now  front  to  front  the  frowning  heroes  flood  ; 
Their  eyes  red  flames  ;  their  faces  dropp'd  with  blood  5930 
Their  fwords  the  lightning;  two  broad  moDns,their  Giields 
Shot  a  fierce  glory  through  the  dreadful  fields. 
Then  Jabin's  heart,  though  form'd  of  ftubborn  flee], 
Firit  (hook  with  terror,  and  firft  learn'd  to  feel. 
But  rous'd  by  keen  difdain,  and  vengeful  ire,  93.5 

Quick  from  his  eye-balls  biaz'd  infernal  iire  ; 
To  earth,  impatient,  from  the  car  hefprang  ; 
His  bread  beat  high  ;  his  rattling  armour  rang  ; 
To  die  refolv'd,  but  as  a  king  to  die, 
Like  fudden  thunder  rofe  his  burning  cry—  940 

From  this  right  hand  receive,  thou  bafe-born  Have, 
A  death  too  noble,  but  2.  daftard's  grave  ; 
Torne  by  the  dogs,  thy  carcafe  here  mall  lie, 
Or  glut  the  fowls,  that  fweep  th'  avenging  fky. 
The  Chief  difdain'd  return/     The  Heathen's  (leel     .945 
Full  on  his  helm  with  rapid  fury  fell, 
Glanc'd  by  his  fword,  it  clave  the  bloody  ground  ; 
Eife  had  the  Eiero  known  no  future  wound. 
Then  withfwift  wheel,  through  Jabin's  yielding  (ide 
Rulh'd  his  keen  blade,  and  pour'd  the  fable  tide;  950 

Aghaft,  their  monarch's  fall  his  heft  beheld, 
And  fullen  groans  rung  murmuring  round  the  field. 

Like  Heaven's  dread  thunder  Jofliua  rais'd  his  voice  ; 
Kafh  backward  roll'd  ;  earth  trembled  at  the  noife-— 
On  Gibeon's  turrets  ftand  thou  flill,  O  Sun  !  g^~ 

Look  down,  thou  Moon,  on  dreary  Ajalon  ! 
Fix'd  in  high  heaven  the  awful  fplendors  iiood, 
And  flam'd  tremendous  on  the  field  of  blood  ; 
From  each  dread  orb  enfanguin'd  ilreams  afpire, 
Tne  fkies  all  mantling  in  fierce-waving  fire  ;  gfo 


;*•  BOOK      XI. 

Amaz'd,  Canaan's  realms  the  pomp  defcried  ; 

The  world  grew  pale  ;  the  hearts  of  nations  died  : 

The  bounding  Hero  feiz'd  the  mining  car, 

Snatch'd  the  long  rein?,  and  Ihouted  to  the  war  : 

Behind,  fierce  Afher  r.vLft  to  vengeance  flew  ;  9^* 

All  dropp'd  their  fpears,  and  all  their  falchions  drew  j 

A  fudden  blaze  gleam'd  round  the  dufty  gloom, 

Andplung'd  ten  thoufand  warriors  to  the  tomb. 

For  now,  o'er  all  the  fight,  the  heathens  yield, 

And  Ifrael  triumphs  round  the  dreadful  field.  tyj 

High  in  the  van,  fublime  great  Jomua  rode, 

Wing'd  the  dire  flight,  and  fwell'd  the  tide  of  blood  ; 

Aghafl,  they  fee  the  lightning  of  his  eyes, 

And  hear  the  thunders  of  his  voice  arife. 

The  plains  are  tumult  all,  convuls'd  affright,  975 

Fierce  ruin,  wild  amaze,  and  raging  flight ; 

The  Chariots  ftream  ;  the  Heeds  all  eager  bound, 

Stretch  o'er  the  plains,  and  fweep  the  rifing  ground  ; 

O'er  rocks,  o'er  floods  the  thoufands  headlong  fly, 

And  fwords,  and  fpears,  and  Ihields,  behind  them  lie  ; 

No  flop,  nor  backward  look,  nor  likening  ear,  9?  2 

From  plains  to  forefls  pants  the  full  career  ; 

Behind,  the  Hero  wings  his  rapid  way, 

And  duft  and  darknefs  ihroud  the  beams  of  day. 

So,  borne  in  clouds  of  fire,  an  Angel's  form  9S5 

On  impious  Sodom  drove  the  dreadful  ftorm. 

From  heaven,  in  dreadful  pomp,  the  Viuon  came  ; 

Far,  far  behind  him,  flream'd  the  angry  flame  ; 

The  dark-red  thunder,  from  his  right  hand  hurl'd, 

Upheav'd  the  fky,  and  fiVd  the  rocking  world  ;  990 

High  o'er  the  dorm,  on  wings  of  light,  he  rode, 

And  fail'd,  in  lucid  triumph,  to  th'  approving  God. 

Long  runVd  the  vigors  o'er  the  fanguine  held, 
And  fcarce  were  Gibeon's  lofticft  fpires  beheld  ; 
When  up  the  welt  dark  clouds  began  to  rile,  99J 

S/.l'd  o'er  the  hills,  and  lengihcn'd  round  the  ikies. 


BOOK      XL  .30.1 

A  ridge  of  folding  fire  their  fummits  (hone  ; 
But  fearful  blacknefs  all  beneath  was  thrown. 
Swift  round  the  fun  the  fpreading  gloom  was  hurl'd, 
And  night,  and  folitude,  amaz'd  the  world.  10©# 

At  once  the  voice  of  deep-refounding  gales 
Rung  flow,  and  folemn,  in  the  diflant  vales ; 
Then  through  the  groves,  and  o'er  th'  extended  plain, 
With  ftormy  rage  the  rapid  whirlwinds  ran  : 
Red  o'er  the  glimmering  hills,  with  pomp  divine,     1005 
The  lightning's  flaming  path  began  tofhine; 
Far  round  th'  immenfe  unufuai  thunders  driven. 
Proclaim'*!  theonfet  of  approaching  Heaven  ; 
AftonilVd  Nature  own'd  the  ftrange  alarm, 
And  the  world  trembled  at  th'  impendent  fiorm.       1019 
O'er  the  dark  fields  aghaft  Canaan  ftream'd  ; 
Thick  in  their  courfe  the  fcatter'd  bucklers  gleam'd  : 
Behind  them,  Jofhua  urg'd  the  furious  car, 
And  tenfold  horrors  hover'd  round  the  war. 

But  when  the  Chief  the  fpreading  ftorm  furveyM,  1015 
And  trae'd  almighty  arms  in  heaven  difplay'd  ; 
With  piercing  voice,  he  gave  the  great  command— 
Stand  ftill,  ye  chofen  fons,  admiring  ftand  1 
Behold,  what  awful  fcenes  in  heaven  arife  ! 
Adore  the  power  that  brightens  in  the  fkies !  X0  2G 

Now  God's  tremendous  arm  alTerts  his  laws  ; 
Now  bids  his  thunder  aid  the  righteous  caufe  ; 
Unfolds  how  Virtue  faves  her  chofen  bft^ds, 
And  points  the  vengeance  doom'd  for  guilty  lands.  1024 
Behold,  what  flames  fhoot  forth  !  what  gloom  afcends  ! 
How  nature  trembles !  how  the  concave  rends  ! 
Kow  the  clouds  darken  !  fee,  in  yonder  &y, 
Their  opening  Ikirts  proclaim  th'  Almighty  nigh! 

He  fpoke,  and  from  the  north  a  rufhing  found        1029 
Roll'd  through  the  heavens,  and  fhook  th'  embattled 
At  once  a  rapid  path  of  dreadful  flame  [ground  ; 

Buril  from  the  ikies,  and  pour' 4  a  fanguine  dream ; 


502  BOOK      XL 

Thron'd  on  a  dark  red  cloud,  an  Angel's  form. 

SaiPd  awfully  fublime,  above  the  ftorrn. 

Half  veil'd  in  mihV  his  countenance,  like  a  fun,  1035 

fnftam'd  the  clouds,  and  through  all  ether  (hone  ; 

Long  robes  of. crimfon  light  behind  him  flow'd  ; 

His  wings  were  flames  ;  his  locks  were  died  in  blood  ; 

Te«i  thftufand  fiery  fhapes  were  round  him  driven, 

And  all  the  dazzling  pomp  of  opening  heaven.  104c 

.    Now,  fave  Canaan's  cries,  that  feebly  rung, 

Round  the  dark  plain  a  horrid  filence  hung. 

Stretch'd  in  dire  terror  o'er  her  quivering  band, 

Th'etherial  Vifion  wav'd  his  fun-bright  hand  ; 

At  once  from  opening  fkies  red  flames  were  hurl'd,   104; 

\And  thunders,  roll'd  on  thunders,  rock'd  the  world, 

In  one  broad  deluge  funk  thf  avenging  hail, 

And,  fill'd  with  tempeft,  roar'd  the  hoary  vale  ; 

The  headlong  whirlwinds  boundlefs  nature  blend  ; 

The  ftreams  rufh  backward  ;   tottering  mountains  bend  ; 

Bow»  the  tall  fteep  their  burfiingfummics  roll,  105  l 

And  cliffs  on  cliffs,  hoarfe-crafhing,  rend  the  pole  ; 

Far  round  the  earth  a  wild  drear  horror  reigns  ; 

The  high  heavens  heave,  and  fink  the  gloomy  plains: 

One  fea  of  lightnings  all  the  region  fills  :  lcSS 

'Long  waves  of  fire  ride  furging  o'er  the  hills  ; 

The  nodding  forefls  plunge  in  flame  around, 

And  with  huge  caverns  gapes  the  fhuddering  ground. 

Swifter  than  rapid  winds  Caniian  driven, 

Refufe  the  conflict  of  embattled  Heaven.  1060 

But  the  dire  hail  in  vain  the  viclims  fly, 

And  death  unbounded  fhook  from  all  the  fk.y  ; 

The  thunder's  dark  career  ;  the  Seraph's  arm, 

Fierce  vengeance  blazing  down  th'  immenfe  of  rtorm. 

From  falling  groves  to  burning  plains  they  flew  ;       icCz 

Hail  roars  around,  and  angry  blalh  purfuc  ; 

From  making  heavens  almighty  arms  are  hurl'd. 

And  all  tfie  gloomy  concave  bur/Is  upon  the  world, 


B     O     O     K     XI.  303 

,No  dry  like  this  the  guilty  earth  had  known  ; 
ftot  Egypt's  {lorm  with  equal  terror  fhone  ;  10JO 

No  day  like  this  o'er  eallern  hills  (hall  rife, 
Till  Gabriel's  trump  irrrolls  the  finking  fkies. 
For  Heaven's  dread  ilores,  referv'd  for  death,  and  war, 
Fierce  hail,  and  lightning,  fill'd  the  rending  air. 
In  vain  the  holt  attempted  ftill  to  fly  ;  IC75 

They  fell,  they  rofe  again  ;  but  rofe  to  die. 
Mid  thoufand  corfes,  there,  beneath  his  Ihield, 
Stalk'd  a  lone  trembler  through  the  founding  field  : 
Here,  fcatter'd  wretches  roani'd  along  the  plain, 
And  flickering  bucklers  hid  their  heads  in  vain.         100Q 
On  every  fide  reiiftlefa  foes  engag'd  ; 
The  lightning's  livid  blail  around  them  rag'd  ; 
While  the  lhrill  torrenti  of  th'  avenging  hail 
Ruth'd  on  the  pinions  of  the  fweeping  gale. 
Rare,  and  more  rare,  were  {sen  the  finking  hoft,        io8£ 
3 Till,  whelm'd  beneath  the  deluge,  all  were  loft. 

Thus,  when  black  midnight's  terrors  earth  deform, 
From  the  tall  Andes  burfts  a  blazing  florm  ; 
From  fteep  to  deep  the  ridgy  flames  afpire, 
Bend  o'er  wide  realms,  and  wrap  the  heavens  in  fire  ;  109* 
All  nature  trembles ;  tottering  mountains  rend  ; 
Down  the  cliff's  thunder  ;  mowers  of  fire  defcend  ; 
Huge  hills  of  ice,  diiTolv'd,  and  wades  of  fnow 
Plunge  in  one  deluge  on  the  world  below  ; 
O'er  half  Peru  the  floods  tempeituous  fweep,  1095 

And  rocks,  and  groves,  and  towns,  roll  mingled  to  the  deep. 
The  form  began  to  move  ;   the  clouds  gave  way, 
Their  ikirts  all  brightening  with  the  crimfon  ray  ; 
Far  fouth,  on  wings  of  fire,  the  Angel  flew, 
And  his  clear  fplendors  lefTening  left  the  view,  nom 

Down  the  broad  regions  of  the  mid-day  ikies, 
Where  glittering  domes  werefeen,  and  fcarcely  feen  to  rife, 

Through  the  long  day,  Canaan's  widows  flood, 
And  look'd,  all-anxious,  toward  the  plain  of  blood  j 


j»4  BOO    K      XT. 

Look'd  for  the  noft,  with  victory's  garlands  ftbwnM,  1 105 
Enrich'd  with  fpoils,  and  with  fair  fame  renown'd. 
The:r  hands,  to  glad  their  friends  with  choice  repaft, 
Cull'd  every  fweet,  and  wines  of  daintieft  tafte  ; 
Oft  as  adufty  cloud  the  whirlwinds  rear'd, 
In  diftant  fields  they  thought  their  lords  appear'd  ;     1 1  io 
Then,  with  new  terrors,  gaz'd,  and  gaz'd  again, 
'Till  night,  and  forrow  darken 'd  every  plain. 

The  itorm  retir'd  ;  the  enfigns  gave  command, 
And  round  their  Leader  throng'd  the  conquering  band. 
Here  fparkling  eyes  with  joy  and  triumph  burn'd  ;     1 1  15 
Here  pity  fitent  from  the  daughter  turn'd  ; 
Here  for  fallen  friends  the  tear  was  feen  to  fiow, 
And  fighs  oft  fpoke  unutterable  woe  : 
While  Jofhua's  thoughts  mount  upward  to  the  fkies, 
And  fear,  and   wonder,  in  his  bofom  1  11 2e 

The  ftream,  the  walls  they  pafs'd  ferenely  flow, 
Climb'd  the  tall  hills,  and  fought  the  plain  below  ; 
There  crown'd  with  flowers,  their  wives  and  children  came 
And  fongs  rofe  grateful  to  th'  Eternal  Name— 
BlefsM  be  the  Power  divine—  rejoic'd  they  fung,— -  1  ::- 
Tfce  green  vales  echoed,  and  the  foreft  rung— 
Blefs'd  be  the  hand,  that  clave   the  confcious  fen, 
And,  rob'd  in  thunder,  iwept  our  foes  away  ! 
Lerendlefs  bleflings  round  our  nation  rife, 
Cheer  all  our  lives,  and  waft  us  to  the  foies !  1 1  J# 

Thus  drains  of  rapture  charm'd  the  liiiening  gales, 
While  the  low  fun-beam  glimmer'd  on  the  vales  : 
To  reft  the  camp  retir'd  :  ten-thoufand  fires 
Thro'  the  calm  filence  rais'd  their  bending  fpires  : 
The  bright  moon  rofe  ;  wih-ds  cool'd  the  chearful  even, 
And  widt  magnificence  enkindled  I  iff 

T    h    e      E    :;    d. 


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